Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney could resume the game tonight against Portsmouth with a dislocated shoulder.
The 22-year-old has not been injured since the 3-1 victory over West Ham at Christmas.
Getty Images – Getty
Tierney spent most of the 2019/20 campaign on the sidelines
Indeed, his career at Arsenal so far has been marred by injuries following his 25 million pound transfer from Celtic last summer and he has yet to appear under new manager Mikel Arteta.
But the Gunners boss revealed that Tierney had returned to full contact training and refused to rule out an appearance in the fifth round shock at Fratton Park.
“He is much closer. He’s doing really well, ”said Arteta at his press conference.
“He feels fit. He now feels confident. He does things with contact, so I hope we can have him soon. “
Getty Images – Getty
Tierney returns to full contact training at Arsenal
When asked if Tierney could play against Portsmouth, the Gunners boss said, “As soon as I don’t know when! Whenever we decide.”
Scotland’s international season has been limited to just 11 appearances in all competitions after arriving in the Emirates after undergoing double hernia surgery in May.
Arteta has been forced to use 18-year-old winger Bukayo Saka in the back left, Sead Kolasinac also suffering from a dislocated shoulder in recent weeks.
However, Saka seized this opportunity and has emerged as one of the club’s most notable artists, so Tierney will have a hard time regaining his place on the team.
