Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has just done something for the first time in 478 days vs Sporting CP

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Arsenal’s fifth game in the Champions League this season is against Sporting CP.

The Gunners have won two, lost one and drawn another in the competition so far. That’s not good enough to make it into the top eight and automatically qualify for the knockout stage.

Arsenal have to get a few more wins under their belt, and the test that’s currently in front of them is Portuguese champions Sporting.

The team news is out, and there is a very interesting name on the bench.

Kieran Tierney named in Arsenal’s matchday squad vs Sporting CP

Kieran Tierney remains a fan favourite at Arsenal.

The Scot joined the Gunners back in 2019, when Unai Emery was at the helm. He came in injured, but supporters fell in love right after seeing him make his debut.

Injuries have been really cruel to Tierney over the years, and to make things worse, Mikel Arteta’s decision to deploy inverted full-backs ruined his chances of regular game time even when he was fit.

Everyone expected Tierney to be sold in the summer, but the defender suffered another injury that kept him on the sidelines for several months.

Now, the former Celtic man is fit again, and he has been named in the Arsenal matchday squad against Sporting Lisbon. This is the first time he has been named in the Gunners squad in 478 days.

The last time Tierney was involved in a game for Arsenal was back in August 2023, a few weeks before he was loaned out to Real Sociedad.

It remains to be seen now if Tierney will get any game time in Lisbon.

READ MORE: Arsenal fans all spot a surprise change in Kieran Tierney after seeing him return to training

What happened the last time Tierney played for Arsenal?

Tierney returning to the Arsenal squad is a fantastic story because nobody expected it.

Arteta called it ‘great news’ and a ‘bonus’ that Tierney is fit to play now, which makes us wonder if he will get a few minutes ahead of the January window.

The last time the Scot donned Arsenal’s colours was in the Community Shield against Manchester City in August last year.

Tierney came on as a substitute in that game, replacing Jurrien Timber in the 76th minute. He was on the pitch when Leandro Trossard scored his late equaliser to send the game to penalties.

Arsenal won the shootout and lifted the Community Shield.