He was as creative as Martin Odegaard vs Nottingham Forest, now Mikel Arteta will let star leave for free

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Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Premier League title are all but over after dropping points for the second consecutive game.

The Gunners are watching Liverpool run away in the title race, sitting 13 points behind the league leaders with 11 games to go.

Mikel Arteta wanted to see his side push until the very end but, got very little from his Arsenal squad at the City Ground. 

Arsenal drew 0-0 with Nottingham Forest in a lacklustre contest away from home, failing to move on from their season-defining defeat to West Ham. 

• READ MORE: Two Winners and three losers from Arsenal’s clash with Nottingham Forest

Kieran Tierney was a surprise substitute in Arsenal draw 

The game was one that summed up the struggles Arsenal have right now, as Arteta fielded a squad stripped bare of attacking quality. 

For the second consecutive game, Mikel Merino started up front to frustrate Paul Merson, with the Spaniard looking out of his depth in his new role. 

Merino was one of several Arsenal players to struggle against Forest but, there was one surprise shining light and that was Kieran Tierney. 

Arsenal fans reacted to Tierney being called into action, given that the Scotsman has packed his bags to leave North London in the summer. 

Still, Arteta decided to utilise the defender whilst he’s still at the club, seeing the 27-year-old replace Riccardo Calafiori, who was walking on thin ice after receiving an early booking. 

Tierney came into the game and offered a similar spark to Calafiori, who was subbed due to his yellow card, proving that he’s still able to offer something to Arsenal on the left. 

The Scotland international was actually as influential as Martin Odegaard going forward, as he recorded the same number of key passes as the skipper during his second-half cameo. 

Mikel Arteta made the right decision with Tierney in January

Arteta proved that he still considers Tierney reliable by playing the defender against Forest, which makes his pending free transfer all the more puzzling.

Tierney will join Celtic in the summer after failing to secure sufficient game time at Arsenal, where he will always be adored for his professionalism over the years. 

The time will soon come for the left-back to move on but for now, Arteta is proving that one decision he made with the player in January was correct.

Celtic wanted to sign Tierney in January but an agreement wasn’t struck with Arsenal for an immediate transfer, which considering that the boss is utilising the defender, was a wise idea. 

It’s a great shame how things are set to end for the 27-year-old in N5, with Tierney still showing that he’s got so much to offer a squad that can make better use of his style.