Former Arsenal fan-favourite Kieran Tierney is currently on loan at Real Sociedad, and his future plans are far from clear.
The left-back moved to the Basque side in the summer after losing his place to Oleksandr Zinchenko, and whilst he has impressed at times, his consistent injury problems followed him from North London to Northern Spain.
The 26-year-old was once a key player under Mikel Arteta, and was a very popular figure amongst the fanbase, but he lost his place after Zinchenko joined and raised the level of the role required at left-back, as a defender who inverts into midfield.
The Scotland International looks unlikely to stay in Spain, and unlikely to return to the Emirates, and whilst he has hinted that his future may lie away from Arsenal, he has not ruled out a surprise comeback.
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Kieran Tierney hints at permanent Arsenal exit after Real Sociedad loan
Speaking to TalkSPORT, the defender compared his situation to that of William Saliba, who became a crucial player at Arsenal after initially moving away on loan.
“You never know in football. It’s probably quite rare but it happens, you come back from a loan and of course, you get different circumstances like William Saliba, where they just come back,” he stated.
“I don’t think he’s been out of the team since, or been on the bench since, but maybe it’s a bit different for someone who’s been playing for four years already and goes back, but you genuinely never know. Football’s a mad place so lets see what happens.”
Could Kieran Tierney return to Arsenal next season?
The irony for Tierney is that at times, Arteta has used his left-backs in a more traditional way which would suit him, after he departed.
Ben White has inverted in recent months, with Jakub Kiwior on the left, and given his struggles against Bayern Munich, Tierney may arguably be a better option than the 23-year-old.
However, he will still be competing with Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber as well as Kiwior, and Tierney’s inability to stay fit will ultimately cost him any chance of an Arsenal return.
Tierney needs to be playing regularly, and a sale this summer in which Arsenal can earn a fee for him would suit all parties.