Mikel Arteta has provided an update on the fitness of Kieran Tierney with the Arsenal defender ‘keen’ to make it back in time for this summer’s European Championship.
Tierney is expected to miss several weeks after picking up a knee injury in the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool last weekend, the latest issue for the Scotland international who has endured a series of setbacks since arriving at the Emirates.
The 23-year-old has established himself as an integral part of the Gunners side and his absence is a major blow to Arteta’s plans, though the Spaniard revealed that the defender hopes to play some part before the end of the campaign and this summer as Scotland prepare for a first major tournament in more than two decades.
“We will have to go day by day, when we get close and depending how he’s feeling, we will make that decision,” Arteta told a pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Europa League clash with Slavia Prague.
“He is keen to play for us again this season and obviously his country in the Euros.”
Arsenal host the Czech champions in the first leg of their last eight meeting tomorrow evening, with the Europa League offering a realistic route to both silverware and Champions League qualification.
Arteta could look to make several changes following an ineffective display in defeat to Liverpool on Saturday and will be wary of the threat posed by a Slavia side who have eliminated both Leicester and Rangers on their way to the quarter-finals.
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