Author: Ben Kitto

Arsenal left-back and Scotland international Kieran Tierney is likely to face a two-week period of self isolation after one of his Scotland teammates tested positive for COVID-19.

The player in question, Southampton’s Stuart Armstrong, is the only player in the squad to have returned a positive test, but Tierney – along with Celtic’s Ryan Chrisite – will have to self isolate after being identified as having been in close contact. It means the trio will miss Scotland’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Israel this Thursday 8th October, as well as Nations League ties against Slovakia and the Czech Republic.  

It also casts doubt over Tierney’s place in the squad for Arsenal’s next game – a crucial encounter against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday 17th October. Having drawn 1-1 with Leeds in their last outing, Pep Guardiola’s side have struggled in the Premier League this term,  also suffering a humiliating 5-2 defeat against Leicester in a campaign which finds them 14th in the table after three games. 

Arsenal, meanwhile, will be hoping to have Tierney back in time for the fixture in order to have the best possible chance of building on what has been a strong overall start to their season. Arteta’s side sit 4th in the table with nine points from their opening four games, having only suffered defeat away against champions Liverpool. Since his return from injury during the latter stages of last season, Tierney has impressed for Arsenal, being used most often in a less natural centre-back role on the left of a three man defence. Whether he continues to play there, or in his favoured left-back role, Arsenal and Arteta will hope to have playing again as soon as possible.

Photo Credit: Picasa, 2016 (Flickr)