Sir Kenny Dalglish insists Kieran Tierney ‘has a chance’ to revive his Arsenal career but says he may need to dislodge another player after falling behind left-back rival Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Tierney has started just four of Arsenal’s 28 league games this season, playing back-up to former Manchester City defender Zinchenko for much of the campaign.
Given his lack of game-time at the Emirates, ex-Celtic star Tierney has been linked with a move away from Arsenal ahead of this summer’s transfer window, with Newcastle United said to be keen to secure his services.
Scotland legend Dalglish believes Tierney will ‘respect’ the situation and has urged his compatriot to ‘take up the challenge’ of regaining his place in the team.
‘Kieran was left out initially because he was injured, and the player who came in for him has done well,’ Dalglish told The Sunday Post.
‘Mikel Arteta probably decided to sign Zinchenko because he wants Arsenal to play the same way as Manchester City, with the full-backs playing on the inside rather than outside.
‘Zinchenko was taught that way at City, so he is used to it. Kieran is not. That does not mean to say Kieran has gone backwards as a player. It is just someone else has been a wee bit better.
‘He will respect where he is, and he will respect the boy got in when he was injured and nicked a step in front of him. He would expect to do the same himself.
‘We have seen what Kieran can do in the minutes he has had for them setting up a goal against Crystal Palace last week.
‘Now he is with Scotland and it is a great opportunity for him to put his case forward for Arsenal.’
The former Scotland, Liverpool and Celtic forward added: ‘Tierney has shown he can play where he is needed for Scotland and now he has a similar challenge with his club.
‘Take the challenge up and see if he can get back in at left-back. If he can’t get a place there, then he has to see if he can knock someone out further forward – on the left of midfield, or wherever there is an opportunity.’
While Tierney may be disappointed by his game-time at Arsenal, he could still end the campaign with a Premier League winner’s medal.
The Gunners are eight points ahead of Manchester City ahead of the Premier League run-in but still need to play the defending champions and face a trip to Anfield later in the season.
‘Kieran still has a chance at Arsenal because, to be successful, you need a really good squad of players,’ Dalglish said.
‘Arsenal are in the position everyone would want to be in, five points clear at the top of the table.
‘They still have Man City to play and they have to come to Anfield, so it is not finished yet, but they are where you would want to be.’
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