Arsenal full-back Kieran Tierney says he was ‘GUTTED’ to be dropped for Liverpool clash

Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney has admitted he was “guzzled” that Mikel Arteta decided to drop him before their clash with Liverpool last weekend.

The Scotland international was the Gunners’ first defender since joining the club, but saw his place come under pressure this season for Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

And after being dropped in place of Tomiyasu – who is typically a right-back and not a left-back like Tierney – the defender revealed all about the ‘difficult’ situation.

Takehiro Tomiyasu was preferred over the Scottish defender for the Emirates match

Speak with Daily footballTierney said: ‘I thought I was going to be kicked out in Thursday’s game, maybe to get ready for Sunday – and maybe that was his plan at the time.

“Then, the day before the game, he said ‘it’s not about your performance, this is just a tactical change I want to make.’

‘I was like, ‘I’m gutted. I’m not going to be mad, I’m not going to try my best, but I’m gutted because I want to take every opportunity I can. Especially the big games you play and you want to soak up the atmosphere.’

Tierney has seen an increase in competition in the left-back position over the past two seasons. Nuno Mendes was bought – before being loaned to Marseille this year – while Zinchenko and Tomiyasu have become reliable options for Arteta.

The fullback admitted it was a ‘tough’ time but praised Mikel Arteta’s decisions

Tierney continued: ‘But I can’t say anything. We went out and won and Tomiyasu played great – the game plan worked! It just shows you because not many managers would think ‘let’s switch a right back here’ but he [Arteta] did and it worked.

“That’s the first meeting I’ve had in my life. It’s new to me. Last season there was a period of three or four games where I didn’t play. It’s all new to me and I’m learning and coping with it.

“It’s tough, footballers want to play and I’ve worked so hard to come back from injury. You just want to play as much as possible.’

25-year-old claims he’s ‘learning and dealing with’ his current situation on the sidelines

Tierney has played fewer and fewer games for the Gunners as the seasons have progressed, with the club buying a left-back league every year.

Last season, the Gunners brought in Tavares and Tomiyasu as reinforcements from the fullbacks. Tierney managed to hold on to his starting position against Tavares, who is now on loan to Marseille.

However, Arteta clearly thinks the Scot needs healthy competition as he recruited Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko in the summer.

The Ukrainian is already a fan favorite at the club and is seen as Arteta’s first-choice left-back after starting five of their nine league games this season.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (R) has also provided Tierney with competition as a left back this season