'I fear for him': Arsenal fans' favorite's time could end due to Hale End star
Darren Bent believes Kieran Tierney's time at Arsenal is coming to an end.
Despite a defensive injury crisis, left-back Tierney was an unused substitute for the Victory for the gunners 3-0 over Monaco in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Instead of Tierney, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta handed over to an 18 year old young man Myles Lewis-Skelly – midfielder by profession – his debut in the Champions League as a left back.
The decision was somewhat surprising given Arteta spoke brilliantly about Tierney and spoke about the Scot's chances of getting game time during his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
“He is ready, he is training very well and I am sure he will have a chance,” Arteta said.
“The way the team looks right now, he's going to do it for that reason and because he's earned it. The way he's behaved, the way he's been with us because he's willing to do it and when “.
Unfortunately for Tierney, Wednesday's clash marked the fifth consecutive game in which he was an unused substitute.
With an 18-year-old midfielder now ahead of him in the pecking order, former Premier League striker Bent believes the writing is on the wall for Tierney at the Emirates Stadium.
“You know what? I'm almost a little scared now because Kieran Tierney“Bent told talkSPORT Breakfast.
“I really like Kieran Tierney, but unfortunately he can't stay fit. I think the last time he played a competitive game was in June for Scotland.
“Just being out during that time, I think he's been sitting on the Arsenal bench for the last five games. The fact that he hasn't played a minute would almost indicate that his time at Arsenal is coming to an end.”
Bent also praised Lewis-Skelly's performance and believed the teenager could easily establish himself as Arsenal's left-back in the future.
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“Myles Lewis-Skelly was brilliant,” Bent said.
“He seemed calm, he seemed comfortable, he didn't let himself be intimidated by the occasion. He is definitely someone for the future.
“I think Mikel Arteta said that if he keeps pushing himself correctly, he could be Arsenal's first-choice left-back. And I can see that happening.”
Tierney has not appeared for Arsenal since a 14-minute cameo in the Community Shield last year, when the Gunners beat Manchester City on penalties.
He then sealed a loan to LaLiga's Real Sociedad and started the first three games for which he was eligible.
Tierney made 26 appearances in all competitions for the San Sebastián-based club and started 17 of them.
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Tierney couldn't escape his injury problems, however, as he missed a total of 17 games last season with hamstring and adductor problems.
The defender returned to fitness towards the end of the season, in time for Scotland's Euro 2024 campaign.
But it ended in tears for Tierney when was taken down on a stretcher with a serious hamstring injury during Scotland's draw against Switzerland.
Although Tierney may not have featured against Monaco, he may soon get his chance as Arsenal face a run of three games in a week.
The Gunners enjoy back-to-back home games when they host Everton at the Emirates on Saturday, followed by a Carabao Cup quarter-final match against Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
They will face Palace again on December 21, this time in the Premier League and at Selhurst Park.
