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The Scottish international is eager to return to the field under his new manager after the coronavirus crisis.
Kieran Tierney has revealed that he has been “learning a lot” from Mikel Arteta while in isolation, highlighting the Arsenal manager’s “surprising” attention to detail and knowledge of football.
Arteta has had a positive impact on the Arsenal team since he succeeded Unai Emery in the Emirates Stadium hot seat in December.
The Gunners haven’t suffered a single Premier League loss in 2020 with the Spanish, and they seemed to be getting better with each passing game before the season was halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Unfortunately, Tierney dislocated his shoulder just before Arteta’s arrival, and has yet to appear for the Gunners this year.
The Scottish defender has struggled for fitness since completing a £ 25 million ($ 31 million) move to Arsenal from Celtic last summer.
He has only started four games for the club to date, but is currently in the process of increasing his strength so that he can make a strong contribution if the campaign resumes.
Arteta has held regular meetings with his squad online, and Tierney has been encouraged by the analysis and understanding of the game by the Spanish tactician.
The 22-year-old left back said Sky Sports: “I’ve seen all your [Arteta’s] video meetings, I’ve been together as a team, before games, after games and only their analysis is incredible.
“In Dubai, during the winter holidays, I was doing individual work with him and that’s when I realized: ‘This is brilliant, I am learning a lot in a rehab session.’
“He knows what will happen in a game and how it will happen and what you should do, where you will be pressured and where your options should be.”
“You have to know where the left and center half are going to be so you can play in sync, everyone uses a brain and I think it’s perfect.”
“I hope that when I get back in shape I can get a chance to play and re-develop fitness and confidence.”
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Tierney’s comments come days after Arteta congratulated him, impressed by how committed the Scottish international was to his recovery during quarantine.
“I am looking forward to working with him and giving him the opportunity to play,” Arsenal boss told club legend Ian Wright earlier this week.
“His attitude, his commitment, his will; it’s incredible. I think he will bring us something special. It’s a shame (Tierney’s injury), but it’s part of his development.”
