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Kieran Tierney was Arsenal’s toast before and after their win over West Bromwich Albion as he warmed up in a jersey and shorts in freezing conditions and then scored a surprising opening goal.
The 26-year-old was trending on social media when television show host Piers Morgan praised the former Celtic defender for becoming one of his favorite players.
Former Arsenal midfielder Martin Keown named him as future Arsenal captain.
Manager Mikel Arteta suggested: “He has something special in his blood.”
The Scottish defender himself said of the winter conditions that had put the game in doubt before kick-off: “It is what it is.”
Following a 4-0 win at the Hawthorns that lifted Arsenal to 11th place in the Premier League, Tierney told Arsenal TV: “Playing in Scotland my entire career, you’re used to it. A little cold doesn’t hurt anyone. “.
Tierney, restored as a left back after playing a three-man central defense on occasions this season, turned West Brom’s Darnell Furlong inside out before cutting into the penalty area and taking a shot with his right foot. in the far corner.
“Guys call it a cross,” he said. “I’ll have to look at it again. Obviously I’m delighted with the goal, I don’t score many.”
Although it’s his first goal for Arsenal this season, and his second since signing for £ 25 million from Celtic in the summer of 2019, the 23-year-old is becoming increasingly influential. The 15 chances he has created in the Premier League since the beginning of December are more than any other defender.
In fact, it was his cross that gave Alexandre Lacazette a simple touch for the forward’s second goal of the game to complete the score.
There were 20 passes in preparation for Tierney’s first match and since Arteta took over in December 2019, Arsenal have scored more Premier League goals after a sequence of more than 20 passes than any other side.
It’s an example of the hard work put into training camp that Tierney insisted they needed to end a four-game winless streak in early December, during which he defended the manager under pressure and insisted it was the fault of the men. players. .
Arteta was quick to point to the example shown by the winger when his team responded by completing a third consecutive victory, his first such race this season.
“We all wear hairnets, gloves and hats, he just comes out in shorts and a T-shirt,” said the Spaniard who experienced Scotland’s weather during his time with the Rangers. “It’s not like he’s acting, believe me. He’s very comfortable like this.
“Since I joined this club and suffered this shoulder injury, I have seen a player with enormous talent, with the perfect attitude and commitment. He is a joy to work with and I am very happy for him with the goal that framework”. and everything he has done to be better every day. “
Arteta admitted that Tierney had initially had “some trouble” adjusting to life in London after leaving Scotland, but its impact is such that former Captain Keown has suggested that the Spaniard should “build around him.”
“From the beginning, I could see that there is determination about him,” Keown told BT Sport. “He’s the right guy you need, that personality and character – he really brings the game to the opposition now that he’s playing in his preferred position as a left back.
“He’s definitely a setback. Maybe a budding captain. They tell me in practice that they have to tell him to calm down because he’s tackling fiercely. I really like that attitude that he brings. He’s a good defender and he can do both.” parts of the game really good.
“He warmed up in a jersey and scored a wonderful goal in the snow. He’s in a rush to make his mark at Arsenal and, boy, has he done it.
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