£25m Arsenal star agrees that he doesn’t suit Mikel Arteta’s football anymore, loan exit likely

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Although Mikel Arteta and Edu masterminded a productive overhaul of Arsenal’s squad in the summer, one or two situations were still left unresolved.

Arsenal sold all of Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Aaron Ramsdale for respectable fees, players who were frustrated with their game time and on the periphery of plans.

In their place, Arteta welcomed fresh competition to the Emirates Stadium in the form of Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino – two players better suited to future plans. 

And whilst Arsenal should be commended for their progress, there’s still more work to be done in January and beyond to reduce the amount of defenders at the club.

All of Jakub Kiwior, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiaysu and Kieran Tierney have barely played a role thus far, demonstrating Arteta’s embarrassment of riches at the back.

And in truth, it wouldn’t be a surprise if at least two of those names were sold at the beginning of 2025. 

Kieran Tierney has accepted that his Arsenal career is over

That being said, according to Caught Offside, Tierney has now accepted that he’ll never return to Arteta’s plans in north London.

Tierney suffered a serious hamstring injury whilst playing for Scotland at the Euros this summer, one that prevented a summer departure.

READ MORE: How much Arsenal paid to sign every 2024/25 first-team squad player in the transfer market

Following his strong season at Real Sociedad, it was anticipated that the Scot would have plenty of interest, a player who can perform at the highest level when not injured.

After staying at the club, Tierney was named in Arsenal’s Premier League and European squad – suggesting he might play some kind of role this season.

However, according to the report mentioned, it remains clear that Tierney is not in Arteta’s plans, something that’s been ‘clear’ for a long time and a decision that the defender accepts.

There’s no ill-feeling on Tierney’s part, he accepts that his qualities are no longer suited to Arsenal’s style of play.

Tierney can follow Nuno Tavares’ example in January

Tierney will hope to leave Arsenal on loan in January so he can once again prove his quality ahead of securing a permanent departure from the club next summer.

Arteta recently suggested that Tierney could revive his Arsenal career, which was seemingly out of good will rather than any U-turn in decision.

That being said, a temporary move away from the club in January could be perfect for Tierney, who should be fully fit by that point.

Nuno Tavares is enjoying incredible form in the Serie A this season, an Arsenal player who is also out on loan but has an obligation to buy clause inserted in his deal.