Former England defender Gary Neville has now taken aim at one Arsenal star who has endured a tough start to Euro 2024.
Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney has had a difficult Euro 2024 experience so far.
Scotland had the honour of opening the tournament, as they faced off against the host nation in the first game of Euro 2024. However, it quickly turned into a nightmare evening for the Scots as they were battered 5-1 in Munich.
Like the rest of his teammates, Tierney was clearly pumped up ahead of the match, but the scale of the occasion quickly got to Scotland. From the first whistle they retreated into their shells, playing in a narrow low-block that invited pressure.
That pressure told with just ten minutes on the clock, as Florian Wirtz found the back of the net. Less than ten minutes later, Jamal Musiala doubled the hosts’ advantage, before Kai Havertz delighted Arsenal fans by dispatching a penalty kick and ensuring a 3-0 lead for the Germans on the stroke of half-time.
Tierney praised his Arsenal teammate Havertz after the match, but he will have been understandably devastated with his own side’s display, as they were embarrassed on the biggest stage.
However, Gary Neville believes that the 27-year-old defender needs to shoulder some responsibility himself for the manner of Scotland’s defeat.
Gary Neville takes aim at Arsenal ace Kieran Tierney for mentality in Euro 2024 clash
Reflecting on that match, the pundit was critical of Tierney’s attitude in the early stages of the contest.
Speaking on ITV (16/06/2024, 19:27), the former Manchester United full-back said: “They were getting caught up in the first five minutes.
“What I thought was a significant moment in the first couple of minutes in the game was when one of their experienced players, Kieran Tierney, playing for Arsenal Football Club, he celebrated winning a goal kick like it was almost the last minute of the game.
“I just thought, ‘Oh no. This is a marathon, this match. You have such a long way to go, and this isn’t a moment to try and get carried away’. I don’t think that would have helped the more sort of junior players in that squad to settle down.”
Ultimately, Steve Clarke’s side had far bigger problems on Friday night than Tierney’s overenthusiastic response to winning a goal kick, but the player’s reaction was indicative of a side that came into the game fully expecting to be under pressure from the off, and therefore invited it.
What next for Tierney at Arsenal?
Scotland now have a mountain to climb if they are to progress beyond the group stages. Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta will be considering Tierney’s future at the Emirates Stadium.
There is no real place for the defender at Arsenal. He spent last season on loan with Real Sociedad, where injuries once again hampered his progress. Tierney has also admitted that he is no longer an ideal tactical fit at Arsenal.
As such, the Gunners will be keen to move him on on a permanent basis this summer. Arteta will have been hoping to see the £25 million former Celtic man shine at the Euros in order to generate interest and attract suitors for services. So far, though, the North London club are set to be disappointed in that regard.