- 23 hours ago
Arsenal fans want forgotten star to return after Man City flop
Robin Bairner
- 16 Feb 2023 08:40 GMT
- 5 min read
Arsenal’s Premier League title challenge is hanging in the balance after a 3-1 defeat to Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.
Despite a penalty from Bukayo Saka, the Gunners went down to strikes from Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland.
Mikel Arteta’s side lost top spot in the table on goal difference but do have a game in hand.
PROFILE: Who is Vitor Roque? The Brazilian wonderkid wanted by Arsenal and Barcelona
Fans believe, though, that a three-game sequence in which they have taken only a single point should herald a change in approach from the manager, with their previously successful formula no longer working.
For many, that means a recall for a player who had been tipped in some quarters to leave in the January transfer window.
Many Gooners want to see Kieran Tierney recalled to the starting XI after being marginalised by the summer arrival of Ukraine international Oleksandr Zinchenko.
While the former Man City player has been a star performer this season and have been worth every penny of his £30 million transfer fee, he does not carry the same attacking threat as the Scotsman. And for many Arsenal supporters, Tierney’s ability to deliver high-quality ammunition to the attackers is required to reinvigorate a team that has scored only two goals in four games.
BALOGUN: Arsenal striker’s transfer value has near doubled this season
Arsenal fans call for Tierney return
Until Gabriel Jesus returns. #Arsenal
▪️Drop either Xhaka or Zinchenko for Tierney.
▪️Let the left-sided 8 play deeper, and the left-back hold the width
▪️Play Martinelli/Trossard in the half-space, closer to goal.
Probably less fluid positionally, but a lot more threat.— Solace Chukwu (@TheOddSolace) February 16, 2023
Not sure why Tierney kind of just been frozen out of the squad completly.
Understand he's extremly different to Zinchenko but still think he has a lot to offer.
Wouldn't be against playing Zinny in midfield and him and left back possibly.
Put some respect on my boy ❤️ pic.twitter.com/jx56Q4XoMc— The Arsenal Wrap 🇮🇪 (@TheArsenalWrap) February 16, 2023
Really think Tierney should start against Villa
— Jason Soutar (@jbsoutar) February 16, 2023
I think Saturday Arteta has some big calls to make , team needs some sort of change or we risk going in a downward spiral.
I'd consider benching Xhaka and Martinelli, play Zinchenko in mid and have Tierney overlap while he covers like old times. Change something! #ARSMCI— Brant _jay (@Brantjay2) February 16, 2023
While I believe Arteta did a lot of things right from a tactical perspective.
His favoritism and predictable subs are worrying me. It’s always the same White for Tomi or Martinelli for Trossard.
It’s still head-scratching how Tierney hasn’t gotten much gametime at all.— Matthew (@_halfspaces) February 15, 2023
When it's come down to such a high pressure point in the season, I'm very surprised Tierney has basically been phased out.
Tierney for Xhaka with Zinchenko playing left 8 should be a common substitution.— The Arsenal Scout (@thearsenalscout) February 15, 2023
Tierney has gone from being one of Arsenal’s most impressive performers – when fit – last season, to a figure who is struggling to get any minutes at all.
The 25-year-old has not played a single minute of Premier League football since a brief cameo against Tottenham on 15 January and has started only four games all season. Should this continue, Arsenal risk losing him in the summer.
