Arsenal have been handed a huge injury boost ahead of their opening Premier League fixture of the new season against Crystal Palace tonight.
What’s the latest?
That’s according to reports by the Daily Mail, who sent Chris Sutton to speak to Kieran Tierney about the upcoming campaign.
Other reports had claimed that the 25-year-old was one of four Gunners players set to miss out on this fixture, with a number of weeks left in his rehabilitation.
However, when asked about his knee injury, the Scottish defender replied: "I’m ready. I’m good to go."
Arteta will be thrilled
Whilst the absences of Takehiro Tomiyasu, Fabio Viera and Emile Smith-Rowe will be felt heavily, the return of a player like Tierney can only be seen as a boost for the Gunners.
Arsenal’s season was derailed after he suffered his injury, so to start the new campaign with him available will be a big boost in their bid to break into the top four by the end of 2022/23.
He missed the final ten matches of the previous Premier League campaign, and during this time the Gunners won five and lost five. In the 13 top-flight games before that, when Tierney played every minute, they won ten and only lost two (to Man City and Liverpool).
Therefore, the difference is abundantly clear when he is missing.
Having only featured 22 times in the league last season, Tierney's presence is also heavily felt due to his personality. Branded a “great leader” by former Celtic striker Scott McDonald, it is clear to see how Mikel Arteta’s side crumbled in his absence during the spring.
Although the £75k-per-week defender has had a tumultuous, injury-hit career at the Emirates Stadium, perhaps this season could be the one where his fitness can match the form he has shown whenever he has played.
His assertion that he will be available for tonight will be music to the ears of Arteta, who now sees his tactical options increase exponentially. They have an inspirational player back, and hopefully the 25-year-old can help to get them off to the perfect start to the new campaign.