Mikel Arteta hails Kieran Tierney’s ‘threat’ with Arsenal boss convinced the ex-Celtic man has brought winning mentality with him to the Emirates
- Kieran Tierney netted a fine goal in Arsenal’s Europa League win against Benfica
- Mikel Arteta has lavished praise on the full back after his eye-catching displays
- Tierney has overcome injury problems to become a key performer under Arteta
Kieran Tierney was a serial winner when he played for Brendan Rodgers at Celtic and now Mikel Arteta is convinced the Scottish defender has transferred his winning mentality to Arsenal.
Tierney, 23, faces his old boss Rodgers on Sunday just days after inspiring Arsenal to a dramatic European victory over Benfica.
The Scotland international has overcome injury problems to become one of Arsenal’s most important players since his £25m move from Celtic.
Mikel Arteta has lavished praise on Arsenal full back Kieran Tierney and singled out his threat
He added an FA Cup winners’ medal to his three Scottish Premiership gongs in his first season at Arsenal and Arteta is desperate to keep him fit for the rest of the season.
‘The right words to describe Kieran would be determination, passion and energy – that’s what is he about,’ Arteta said. ‘He is determined in every action, and puts it all into every game and the energy levels he provides to the team.
‘He was a threat against Benfica on many occasions. He gives us something different on that left side and scored a great goal.
Tierney smashed home a superb finish for Arsenal in their Europa League win against Benfica
‘It created the right momentum for us in the game to get back into the tie, and we are pleased to have him back and hopefully we can keep him fit.’
Tierney was a rising star at boyhood club Celtic and is now showing he can be one of the best left backs in the game. No wonder Rodgers did everything in his power to stop Arsene Wenger from signing him – before he jumped ship to Leicester and Tierney followed him south.
Arsenal’s European success cannot hide a poor run of three defeats in four league games and they go to Leicester as underdogs, in the bottom half of the table.
The tie rescued Arsenal’s season and Arteta is under no illusion about the task his team faces
Arteta acknowledged the size of the challenge he faces to catch up with Rodgers and co. let alone their former top four rivals.
He added: ‘The competition to be the top team in the league is very tough. We are in a rebuilding moment. The amount of things we had to do in this Christmas period is unprecedented, that shows where we are and probably what we have to do in the summer as well.
‘But at the same time, this club cannot stop. This club cannot be thinking this is a project, we have to win and we have to be one of the top teams in the country straight away.’
