26-year-old Arsenal star dealt fresh injury blow amid uncertainty on his future

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Arsenal star Kieran Tierney embarked on a loan move to Real Sociedad in search of first-team football and a return to fitness. However, it has not panned out as well as he would have hoped.

The 26-year-old has made 16 appearances across all competitions for La Real, including two in the Champions League as his side topped their group to reach the last-16.

However, Tierney did also miss a chunk of the season through a hamstring injury he picked up early on in the campaign. After returning in December, he started to build up a run of form, but he has now been dealt another blow, and his future is far from certain.

Kieran Tierney picks up fresh injury for Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad were facing Celta Vigo in the Copa Del Rey quarter-finals last night, and whilst they managed to progress to the semis, they were dealt a blow as Tierney had to be withdrawn in the 39th minute.

Spanish outlet Jornada Perfecta have claimed that Tierney could now be out for up to four weeks with a fibre injury.

Whilst this in itself is not a killer blow to his hopes of earning a permanent move at Real Sociedad, they have just confirmed the arrival of left-back Javi Galan on loan from Atletico Madrid.

Although there is no buy-option in the deal for the 29-year-old, it does spell bad news for Tierney as he could fall down the pecking order behind the Spaniard whilst he is injured, and given his problems so far, if La Real had to pick which loanee to keep permanently in the summer, they may end up picking Galan.

What next for Kieran Tierney?

In his loan spell so far, he has failed to show that he can build up a run of fitness to return to Arsenal and earn a place under Mikel Arteta.

It seems certain that he will move in the summer, but without Real Sociedad making a move for him, it is unclear where he could end up.

His wages and potential asking price could put a lot of clubs such as Celtic off, whilst his injury record remains a huge red flag.

It is an unfortunate situation for Tierney, who was a popular figure at Arsenal before he lost his place following the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko, and as he enters his prime years, he looks more likely to be a case of wasted potential rather than a defender thriving at the highest level.