Arsenal may now have to reconsider their summer transfer plans after Kieran Tierney picked up an injury at Euro 2024.
Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney was stretchered off the pitch on Wednesday evening as Scotland battled to a draw against Switzerland at Euro 2024.
Scotland made a poor start to the tournament in Germany, as they were thrashed 5-1 by the hosts in the opening game of the competition. Arsenal striker Kai Havertz got on the scoresheet in that match. Tierney was quick to praise Havertz after the final whistle.
The Scots will have been desperate to bounce back from this early humiliation, and produced a much-improved performance against the Swiss. However, their otherwise positive evening in Cologne became something of a nightmare for Tierney.
The left-back was turned by forward Dan Ndoye around the hour mark, and immediately clutched the back of his thigh, indicating a potential hamstring problem. The 27-year-old did not hesitate to signal to the bench that he needed to come off, and he was removed from the field of play on a stretcher soon afterwards.
Mikel Arteta will have been devastated on the player’s behalf when he saw this, as it seems likely that Tierney’s tournament may well be over already. This injury could also have significant ramifications for Arsenal’s summer transfer plans.
How Kieran Tierney injury with Scotland at Euro 2024 could impact Arsenal transfer plans
Arsenal are keen to move Tierney on this summer, ideally on a permanent basis, after he spent last season on loan with Real Sociedad.
Fitness issues hampered his time in Spain, and his persistent injuries make him a tough sell to potential suitors. This latest setback will do little to enhance his reputation in this regard.
What’s more, if he has suffered a long-term injury, then he will be all but impossible to sell, given that he would not be able to pass a medical with a new club.
Of course, until further details of the damage done on Wednesday night come to light, it will be impossible to say how long Tierney might be out for. In any case, Arsenal ought to already be preparing for the worst.
Arteta could make tough call on Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior after Tierney blow
Arteta is keen to sign a left-back this summer, but already has an abundance of options in that part of the pitch, with Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jurrien Timber, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Jakub Kiwior at the club. If injury forces Tierney to remain at the Emirates Stadium into the new campaign then it will be even tougher for the Gunners to make room for a new arrival in that position.
If Arsenal now can’t sell Tierney, then Arteta may become increasingly keen to shift Zinchenko out of the club. Alternatively, Arsenal could consider moving on Kiwior against his wishes.
In any case, Tierney’s latest injury has added an unwelcome layer of complication to a problem facing the club over a position in which they have an abundance of imperfect options.