Kieran Tierney was left out of the Arsenal squad for Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Nottingham Forest, fueling speculation that the defender will leave the club before the transfer window closes.
The Scottish international is fit and trained during the week after playing a part in the Gunners’ Community Shield win over Manchester City last Sunday. He came off the bench to replace new signing Jurrien Timber in the second half.
Tierney is now behind Timber and Oleksandr Zinchenko in the pecking order for the left-back position and now appears to be out of the first-team picture altogether.
Which clubs are in for Kieran Tierney?
Tierney is attracting interest from Real Sociedad, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. But others are also said to hold an interest in the player.
The La Liga outfit are reportedly keen to take Tierney on a season-long loan, but Arsenal want to sell the player on a permanent transfer.
Newcastle United have also been linked with the 26-year-old, who moved to north London from Celtic in 2019. Eddie Howe is keen to upgrade at left-back after playing Dan Burn there for much of last season.
Arteta named a much changed backline against Forest at the Emirates. Gabriel Magalhães was dropped to the bench after playing in every Premier League game last season, with Thomas Partey moving to centre-back alongside William Saliba. Ben White lined up on the right while Timber played on the left.
David Raya was in attendance for Saturday’s match ahead of his agreed transfer from Brentford to Arsenal. He is expected to provide competition to Aaron Ramsdale for the no.1 jersey this term.
Arsenal bought Declan Rice and Kai Havertz earlier in the summer transfer window as they shape up for another tilt at the Premier League title.
