Mikel Arteta says £25m Arsenal star once told him he wanted to leave, now he’s ‘fully committed’

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Every manager finds it difficult to keep all of their players happy, and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is no different.

The Spaniard has completed five years at the helm at the Emirates. He may not have won the Premier League yet, but he has completely transformed Arsenal.

Arteta has had plenty of ups and downs over the years. He has had to make some really tough decisions along the way, especially with some of his players.

The 42-year-old has now revealed that one Arsenal fan favourite actually asked for an exit in the past. Now, however, he is fully committed to the club.

Mikel Arteta says Kieran Tierney once asked to leave Arsenal

Kieran Tierney returned to Arsenal’s starting XI in the EFL Cup against Crystal Palace for the first time in 584 days.

The £25 million Scot spent last season on loan in Spain at Real Sociedad. Everyone expected him to be sold in the summer, but an injury ruled out a move.

Nobody really thought they would see Tierney in Arsenal’s colours again, but after returning to full fitness and proving himself in training, Arteta gave him an opportunity.

The former Celtic man did well against the Eagles, but immediately after the game, news emerged that Arsenal have decided to let Tierney leave in 2025.

Arteta was asked in his press conference if the Scotland international will be leaving in January. The Arsenal manager played it down and claimed that he is ‘fully committed’ to the club.

He also added that Tierney had previously asked to leave – but he hasn’t done anything of the sort now.

Arteta said: “At the moment, he is here with us. I wouldn’t play a player who is thinking about leaving or is not committed to us. He is fully committed. He’s enjoying after a long period with a really tough injury.

“Live the moment. He’s a big part of the squad now and he deserves to be in the squad. He played really well the other day after such a long time. That’s the only thing I can say.”

When asked if it’s the right time for both parties to part ways, Arteta added: “He hasn’t come to me and said ‘I want to leave’.

“When in the past we had any doubts, he came to me and said ‘I think it’s my time to move’. This hasn’t been the case yet.”

Does Kieran Tierney have a future at Arsenal?

Tierney was really good against Crystal Palace.

Arsenal fans absolutely love the Scot, but everyone was a bit sceptical about how he would fare after such a long time on the sidelines.

However, Tierney was fantastic all game and was unlucky not to get an assist. That was great, but we just can’t see a world where he will return to be a regular at the Emirates.

Once everyone is fit and available, we expect Tierney to leave Arsenal. Whether that will happen in January or when his contract expires in the summer remains to be seen.