Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has downplayed speculation about Kieran Tierney’s potential departure, amid growing rumors of a return to Scottish Premiership giants Celtic, Soccernet.football reports.
Tierney enjoyed a hugely successful stint at Celtic, winning eight major trophies and earning three successive PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year awards, in 2016, 2017 and 2018 before making his big move to Arsenal in 2019.
However, persistent injuries have hampered the 27-year-old’s five-year career in North London as well as limiting his contributions during a loan spell at La Liga club Real Sociedad last season.
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The Scottish defender has made just one appearance for Arsenal this season, starting in the EFL Cup win over Crystal Palace. Reports suggest Arsenal won’t activate the one-year extension in his contract, fueling rumors of a return to Celtic.
With Tierney’s contract set to expire this summer and the coming winter window Arsenal’s final opportunity to secure a fee for the left-back, Arteta dismissed any rumours of a January exit for the Scotland international.
“At the moment he’s here with us,” the Spanish boss insisted while speaking at a press conference ahead of facing Crystal Palace. “I wouldn’t play a player that is thinking about leaving or is not committed to us.
“He’s fully committed, he’s enjoying things after a long period again with a really tough injury. Live the moment. He’s a big part of the squad now.
“He deserves to be in the squad, he played really well the other day after such a long time. That’s the only thing I can say.
“He hasn’t come to me and said, ‘I want to move.’ “When in the past we had any doubts, he came to me and said, ‘I think it’s my time to move.’ This hasn’t been the case yet.”
