- Japanese star moved across to left-back
- Scotland international left on the bench
- Tactical decision paid off in crunch clash
WHAT HAPPENED? The Scotland international defender was expected to be included from the off in the Gunnersâ last Premier League outing against Liverpool, with summer signing Oleksandr Zinchenko nursing a knock. Japanese star Tomiyasu was, however, given the nod despite being a natural right-back, with Tierney left âguttedâ but determined to respond positively to the most testing spell of his career to date.
WHAT THEY SAID: Tierney has told Sky Sports of why Arteta opted to use him off the bench in a 3-2 victory over Liverpool: âThe day before he took me in and said âitâs not on your performance, this is just a tactical change that I want to makeâ. Iâm gutted. But thatâs all it is, Iâm not going to be angry or not try hard. Iâm gutted because I want to play every opportunity that I can â especially in big games you want to play and you want to soak in the atmosphere. There is nothing I can say, we went out and won and Tomiyasu played amazing and the game plan worked. Not many managers would probably think weâll switch the right-back over here, but he did and it worked.â
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Tierney added on finding himself slipping down the pecking order at Emirates Stadium: âIt was the first meeting Iâve had in my life where Iâve been dropped. Itâs new to me. This season has been new to me. There was a spell last season for three or four games where I wasnât playing, but since the start of the season I havenât really played. Itâs all new to me and Iâm learning. Itâs tough, footballers want to play. I worked so hard to get back from injury. You just want to play as much as possible as soon as youâre back.â
IN THREE PHOTOS:
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WHAT NEXT FOR TIERNEY? The 25-year-old has started just three Premier League games this season, but will be hoping to see more game time when Arsenal take in a trip to Leeds on Sunday.