As Tierney heads to Spain, the clear-out continues

Yes, as hard as it is to believe, Kieran Tierney has left Arsenal on a one-year loan deal to join Real Sociedad in Spain’s La Liga.

It was just a few short years ago KT was being recognized as a potential Arsenal captain. His blue collar work ethic, winter short sleeves and quickness up and down the left flank made the young Scotsman a fan favorite.

Tierney joined the Gunners in 2019 from Celtic in Scotland and immediately earned a spot in the starting XI. He made 91 Arsenal appearances, and has earned 39 international caps with the Scotland National Team.

Football is a business, and it can be cruel. Without a lot of explanation from the club, KT immediately slid down Mikel Arteta’s depth chart at left fullback last season when Alex Zinchenko joined the Gunners. However, even with Zinchenko’s early season injury this year, Tierney still couldn’t get a start, and fell behind newcomer Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu in Arteta’s pecking order. With all of that being seen in clear view, it was obvious Tierney’s time at the Emirates was limited and the Scotsman would leave before the end of the summer transfer window.

On the bright side, KT will probably get more playing time in Spain then he would have at Arsenal. Tierney is a very talented player, but unfortunately, he just couldn’t prove to Arteta he could play the manager’s inverted fullback tactics.

Let’s wish KT all the best at Real Sociedad, and hope we returns to the Emirates next summer.

With Folarin Balogun leaving on Wednesday, and Nuno Tavares probably not far behind, that leaves Cedric Soares, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Nicolas Pepe and Rob Holding on the books. Holding is currently being courted by several clubs, however, the other three seem to have fallen off everyone’s transfer radars.

So, with just a little more than two days remaining, I’m sure the phones are buzzing at Arsenal HQ trying to finalize this season’s roster.

Also, it looks doubtful any further players will be coming in before the transfer deadline.

Cheers.

Gunner1953