Kieran Tierney appears to be Unai Emery’s top target to strengthen the left-hand side of the pitch this summer, and it is easy to see why.
The Celtic man has long been a consistent performer for the Scottish champions, and as such, interest from clubs across Europe has gathered in recent seasons.
Sead Kolasinac has flattered to deceive since joining Arsenal, and there are question marks over Nacho Monreal’s durability at the top level, with the Spaniard now in the twilight of his playing career.
Celtic have already rejected bids for Tierney. The Gunners reportedly put a deal worth £25 million on the table, and while the sum was believed to have been sufficient, the structure of the proposal was not of satisfaction for the Hoops.
Nevertheless, this should not put Arsenal off. The Scotland international is a perfect fit for Unai Emery’s approach, and his technical ability married with a rare positional versatility makes him a more than worthwhile signing.
Take a look at three tactical approaches which would accommodate Tierney, highlighting just why this signing is one that needs to be made before the window slams shut on Thursday.
On the left of a back four
Tierney is, of course, a natural left-back, and would slot into an orthodox back four with consummate ease. He is capable of pushing forward to support the wingers, while also creating combinations with central players in build-up phases.
His positioning may require some adjustment, given the step up in quality from the Scottish Premiership to the Premier League, but he would settle in nicely on the left-hand side, perhaps behind Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should Emery attempt to shoehorn all of his attacking talents into one team.
Tierney has certainly looked most comfortable as a quintessential, modern-day left-back, and Emery could employ his preferred 4-2-3-1 shape with the 22-year-old in his favoured role.
On the left of a back three
Tierney is a left-back by trade but has also displayed a capacity to operate in a flanking position of a three-man defensive structure for Scotland.
Emery often tinkered with a multitude of tactical systems throughout his maiden campaign in North London, with a trio of central defenders favoured in an attempt to compensate the shortage of quality at the back. In Tierney, Arsenal would be signing a player who is by no means a stranger to this setup.
It would not be the best way to utilise the youngster, but if Emery would prefer to use the more attack-minded Kolasinac as a wing-back in this setup, Tierney would be a reliable addition to the defensive unit.
As a wing-back in a back-three formation
Alternatively, Tierney could be deployed in an advanced role down the left-hand side. Instead of operating in a deeper position, he could be relied upon to provide the team’s width, should Emery once again revert to a system that requires three central defenders.
While he is, as aforementioned, a natural left-back rather than a wing-back, this position would enable Tierney to bomb forward and put his athleticism to good use; he has an excellent engine, links up with his teammates well, and is a more than capable crosser.
Following some injury woes in recent campaigns, preserving his condition would be necessary if Emery were to employ a system that demands so much of the wide players. However, Tierney would certainly be a good suit higher up the pitch.
