Tierney returns to training
Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney has returned to training.
The Scotland international has missed Arsenal’s last six games in all competitions due to a leg injury as well as an issue with his knee. He has been one of the North London side’s most important players this season and the fact that he has returned to training will come as a big boost to manager Mikel Arteta.
The Spaniard has said that Tierney has an outside chance of being involved in the first leg of the Gunners’ Europa League Round of 32 clash with Benfica in Rome on Thursday. On being asked which one if Tierney and Partey were more likely to play against Benfica, Arteta said:
“It seems unlucky at the moment but if there is probably one player who has the bigger chance [to play] it’s Kieran.”
“Probably in the next few days he can start to do some parts with the team but I don’t know how it’s going to evolve until he gets a little bit closer to training with the group.”
Now that the 23-year-old is back in training, the hope is that he will not have a relapse of his injury and will work towards regaining full fitness. The Scottish defender has been one of Arsenal’s most important players both in attack and defence.
He bombs up and down the pitch and puts a number of dangerous balls into the area for the Gunners’ attack-minded players to pounce on. He has also been one of the most impressive members of an ever-improving rearguard.
It is unlikely that he will be involved against Benfica but it cannot be ruled out that he will be a part of the matchday squad when the Gunners host Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
