Kieran Tierney conceded his time at Arsenal could be up as he underlined his desire to “make the most” of his career.
The Scot was signed by Unai Emery but gradually fell out of favour once Mikel Arteta arrived. With minutes at a premium the former Celtic defender opted to head out on loan to Real Sociedad, where he’s made himself a regular amid talk of a permanent move.
Tierney faces huge competition at the Emirates if he is to wrestle back at starting berth and he’s not naive to the fact that he may have to move on. If that is the case the 26-year-old wants to find a home that he can settle at, rather than constantly being on the move.
He told the Athletic: “You get one career and you don’t know how short or long it is going to be, so you have to try everything and make the most of it. I could see myself playing in Spain or Italy. I love La Liga. It’s a great league and I’ve enjoyed this season a lot. I don’t want to be jumping about to loads of different places, though. I want to get used to it and adapt to it, so I can kick on.”
Arsenal have mounted another Premier League title charge this term as they begin to make themselves a regular force once again. Tierney has name checked four players who can play in his position, which would make a return difficult.
However he’s not fully closed the door, citing the experience of William Saliba who headed out on loan for three successive years before he returned to become the leading light in Arsenal’s back four.
He said: “There is every chance. Look at the squad depth in that position now. They have (Oleksandr) Zinchenko, (Jurrien) Timber, (Takehiro) Tomiyasu, (Jakub) Kiwior. Four players can play there. So if I go back and it’s the same as before then I’m not silly, I know the chances are I’ll be leaving.
“But you never know in football. You get the rare case with (William) Saliba, where he came back after a couple of good seasons (out on loan) but you don’t see it too often with someone who has played for four years, left, and then come back to play again. Stranger things have happened. I could go back and there is a place for me. So I’m prepared for both.”
