Forgotten Arsenal star shows Arteta he’s ESSENTIAL for Champions League return

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 8 May 2023 09:13 BST
• 3 min read

When Mikel Arteta is planning Arsenal’s assault on the Champions League next season and what he will have to do in order to make his squad competition ready, he will remember Sunday’s 2-0 victory at Newcastle.

It was a match in which he showed how far he has come as a manager in a brief period of time, recognising that his side had a problem and acting quickly to solve it. And the solution to this issue will also be vital to them in Europe next season.

Unlike the 2-2 draw at Liverpool, Arteta recognised that Newcastle were targeting the left side of Arsenal’s defence, where Oleksandr Zinchenko was struggling. The Spaniard was slow to change things at Anfield and was punished by two dropped points that look vital in the title race, but at St James’ he introduced Kieran Tierney more quickly and the Scot shored up the rearguard.

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Tierney has been something of a forgotten man at Arsenal this season. Previously a key performer on the left, the 25-year-old has been collateral damage to the arrival of the Ukraine international from Manchester City last summer.

Zinchenko may have proven himself better in a team that is on the front foot, but the 26-year-old has been a defensive liability at times. When Arsenal are pressurised, it is Zinchenko who is targeted.

This will be more of an issue next season, when the Gunners will have to cope against a stronger standard of opposition on a more regularly basis and will also have to rotate their squad more regularly as a result.

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Tierney's defence strength key for Arsenal

The assurance that Tierney brought to Arsenal on Sunday was impressive and illustrative of why he will be important to them in the Champions League next season.

But equally is shows that Arteta has a difficult juggling act to perform. Restricted to 24 Premier League appearances but just 649 minutes this season, will Tierney want to stay second-choice at Arsenal as opposed to a more regular role at a highly competitive Premier League club elsewhere?

Newcastle are one of the sides who are looking at him – they too can offer Champion League football.

Arsenal have been shown how crucial Tierney can still be for them – now it is up to Arteta to get him to stay.