Arteta Tips Tierney To Become Future Arsenal Captain
Mikel Arteta believes Kieran Tierney has the potential to become an Arsenal captain in the near future.
Tierney was at his marauding best against West Bromwich Albion over the weekend, scoring a delightful opening goal and laying on an assist later for Alexandre Lacazette as Arsenal romped to a 4-0 win at the Hawthorns.
The 23-year-old Scotland international has been one of Arsenal’s better performers this season despite a challenging start to the campaign that saw the Gunners go seven league games without a win at a point but have bounced back with three wins on the spin recently.
Tierney has played in all but one of Arsenal’s top flight outings this season, leaving Arteta impressed with what he has seen so far.
"I think he can be," Arteta told a news conference when asked if Tierney could go on to captain the Gunners.
"He has the respect and admiration of every member of the staff and every player. It's just the way he is, he does it in a natural way. He's a really shy boy as well but I think he represents all of the values we want to install and that are in the DNA of this football club.
"In both [attack and defence] he can do really well. He can still improve but he's been really good in attack and really solid defensively, so it's the kind of contribution we need from the full-backs.
"He's shy, so humble as well. He came here, it took him a while, he had a really bad injury and was away from home, but he's a natural leader.
"You see how he behaves on the pitch, and when he talks he says the right thing. It's exactly what we look for and I am so pleased to have him in the team."
