Mikel Arteta just did something he hasn’t done for almost two years in Arsenal v Brentford

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Mikel Arteta named a much-changed eleven for Arsenal’s game against Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.

The Gunners face Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday at the Bernabeu, and thus, Arteta felt the need to rest several key players.

Ben White missed the game against the Bees with a knock, although the likes of Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jorginho rotated into the side.

Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino all dropped to the bench, with Arteta making it clear where his priorities for the remainder of the season lie.

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Mikel Arteta started Kieran Tierney in the Premier League for the first time since May 2023 vs Brentford

Tierney has been on the periphery of Arteta’s squad since returning from injury earlier this season.

The Scotsman has started twice prior to the Brentford game, in a League Cup clash against Crystal Palace and a dead-rubber Champions League second-leg against PSV Eindhoven.

However, with rotation needed, Arteta opted to pick Tierney from the start against Brentford, with this being the full-back’s first Premier League start since May 2023 against Brighton.

The Gunners lost 3-0 at the Emirates against the Seagulls that day, and the defender hasn’t been trusted to begin a league game since.

Tierney was touted as a potential alternative to Jakub Kiwior after Gabriel Magalhaes’ injury, although it appears the Celtic-bound man will be limited to less important league matches for the rest of the campaign.

Mikel Arteta will continue to use Kieran Tierney to close games out for Arsenal

Tierney came on in Arsenal’s win over Real Madrid in midweek at left-wing, and this has been a useful tool for Arteta to have at his disposal this season.

The left-back offers a conservative option to Arteta on the wing, to use to close games out when the Gunners are looking to negate the opposition and secure victories in narrow games.

Defensively secure, the marauding full-back is also effective at getting to the byline and whipping in dangerous crosses and cut-backs.

Not a serious wide-forward option from the start of games, but Tierney can do a job in this role in Arsenal’s Champions League matches.

The Scotland international will be at Celtic next season, but he’s still finding a way to contribute in his remaining months in N5.