Scotland boss Steve Clarke has urged Kieran Tierney to wait and see how his situation at Arsenal develops amid interest from Newcastle United.
Tierney was Arsenal’s unquestioned first-choice left-back when fully fit last season.
Injuries have been an issue at times, but with Nuno Tavares struggling, Tierney was an automatic choice last season.
This season is very different though, as Arsenal snatch Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City.
The Ukrainian has emerged as Arsenal’s first-choice left-back, with Tierney stuck on the Arsenal bench.
Tierney has started just four Premier League games this season and has come off the bench in another 14 games.
The 25-year-old does not want to sit on the bench forever and Tierney has been linked with a move away from Arsenal.
Links with Newcastle have been rampant in recent weeks.
chronicle It is claimed that Tierney’s representatives have offered Newcastle the left wing ahead of the summer window.
sun He added that Tierney is unhappy at Arsenal and the Magpies are willing to pay £30m to sign him.
Mirror (26/02, p71) added that Tierney would actually be willing to sign for Newcastle if given the chance this summer.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke – himself a former Newcastle man – has now voiced his views on Tierney’s situation.
clark told the scotsman He thinks Tierney just needs to cave in and focus on finishing Arsenal’s season.
Clarke added that Tierney should wait to see what happens this summer, appearing to think the left-back should be open to an offer to leave Arsenal.
“It’s one of those things you have to deal with when you play at a top club,” Clarke said. “When I was a player, I had it myself. Obviously, in the early days at Chelsea, it was easier, but once you start getting foreign influences and better players start coming in, you find yourself at a level where you Probably not going to be picked for every game. You have to deal with that. He understands why he doesn’t get as much minutes in the Premier League. He has to make up his mind to keep doing it. That’s what he’s doing.”
“You have a choice. Run away and try somewhere else or stick with it. I didn’t have many suitors at the time. I was settled in the area and settled at the club. Kieran’s position may be slightly different. He’s certainly good enough to play at the top in the EPL level. I think he should make up his mind and a good pro like him look at the season and see what the summer brings,” he added.
Combined with links to Leeds United, Aston Villa and the likes, Tierney should be a favorite this summer.
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal are willing to let him go, especially after Tierney showed his quality against Crystal Palace today.
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