Kieran Tierney ignored a worrying injury during Arsenal’s pursuit of Champions League football last season – but might well have regretted that decision after collapsing outside the shower.
Appearing in All or Nothing: Arsenal, the documentary details the circumstances around the Scotland international’s freak injury that forced him to miss the final 10 games of the Premier League season.
During a March meeting in which club chiefs including Edu discussed squad injury concerns, head of medical Gary O’Driscoll said: “The big issue obviously is Kieran Tierney.
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“The Wolves game, he had a hyper extension injury – finished the game, didn’t mention it and then played the next five games with no problems whatsoever.
“He then walked out of the shower on Thursday after training, turned a corner and bent his knee and felt the knee collapse.
“I’m afraid that we will not see him again for Arsenal again this season. I’ll be very careful how we manage this now.”
Who is a better left-back, Kieran Tierney or Oleksandr Zinchenko? Give us your verdict in the comments section below.
(Image: Getty Images)
(Image: Getty Images)
While sitting on the treatment table, Tierney then confirms to Xhaka that he has a cartilage injury – adding: “Oh my season’s over, yeah… defo.”
Tierney had successful surgery on his knee in April and planned to return for Scotland’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine in June.
Unfortunately for the defender, he was not able to be called up to Steve Clarke’s 28-man squad with his team-mates going on to lose 3-1 at Hampden Park.
(Image: Getty Images)
(Image: Getty Images)
Back in Gunners action this season, Tierney has played 20 minutes across their opening two victories against Crystal Palace and Leicester following the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko.
During a chat with the Mail, the 25-year-old said when asked if the deal surprised him: “No, but I’m not surprised because I’ve never had that.
“At a club like Arsenal, you need competition. For where we want to go, you need at least two players for each position. He is a great signing.”
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