Mikel Arteta is relishing the prospect of Kieran Tierney returning to full fitness and believes the full-back can bring ‘something special’ to Arsenal after an injury-hit debut campaign.
Tierney made the move to the Premier League in a £25m deal from Celtic last summer but has struggled with injury problems since arriving at the Emirates, making just five league appearances before suffering a dislocated shoulder against West Ham in December.
The Scotland international is yet to feature for the Gunners since Arteta’s arrival as head coach, though the Spaniard admits he is eagerly anticipating the return of Tierney who has impressed with his professionalism during his time on the sidelines.
“I am really looking forward to working with him and giving him the opportunity to play,” the Arsenal boss said in an interview with Ian Wright.
“His attitude, his commitment, his willingness it’s incredible. I think he’s going to bring something special to us.
“It’s a shame [about his injury] but always it’s part of his development. In your career you go through these moments. I challenge him to say ‘Kieran how are you going to react to that? you cannot feel sorry for yourself, the level of pressure now is a bit higher but you have to deal with it.
“You are playing with a top club, with expectations, deal with it!
“You have everything to be successful here, you have the best possible attitude that I know from a player go and enjoy it’.”
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