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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dismissed talk of the upcoming Exit for Kieran Tierney as Celtic return rumors grow.
Tierney will become a free agent when his contract expires this summer, leaving the January transfer window as the last free window for Arsenal receive a fee for the transfer of the 27-year-old left back. Injuries have plagued Tierney’s career and limited his impact at Real Sociedad during his loan spell last season.
The Scotland international has made just one appearance for the Gunners this season – starting in the midweek Carabao Cup win over Crystal Palace. Reports have surfaced this week claiming that Arsenal decided not to start a one-year contract extension clause, prompting speculation of a reunion with boyhood club Celtic.
Arteta was questioned about Tierney’s future ahead of Arsenal’s trip to PalaceSelhurst Park on Saturday. “He is here with us at the moment,” insisted the Spanish boss. “I would not play with a player who is thinking of leaving or is not committed to us.
“He’s fully committed, he’s enjoying things after a long spell again with a really bad injury. Live in the moment. He’s a big part of the team now. He deserves to be in the team, he played really well the other day after such a long time. That’s all I can say.”
The Arsenal manager added that Tierney had not broached the subject of a transfer, but revealed in the process that the Scot had previously pushed for a move away.
“He didn’t come to me and say: ‘I want to move'” Arteta recorded. “When we’ve had any doubts in the past, he’s come to me and said, ‘I think it’s time to move.’ This has not been the case yet.”
Celtic coach Brendan Rodgers, who worked with Tierney in Glasgow for three years, he refused to be drawn in by rumours. “We will never talk about a player, especially a young player who is at another club,” the Northern Ireland manager openly retorted this week.
