KIERAN TIERNEY has handed Arsenal a huge blow after picking up an injury in the warm-up before the game against West Ham.
The Scot was ruled out with a hip problem leaving Mikel Arteta to turn to Sead Kolasinac just before kick-off.
Kieran Tierney picked up an injury in Arsenal’s warm-up against West HamCredit: AFP or licensors
The former Celtic star has been plagued by injuries since his move to the Emirates last summer.
The full-back signed for Arsenal while carrying a groin problem and then dislocated his shoulder in December.
Tierney had looked to put his injury hell behind him following football’s restart earlier this year and had been enjoying his most consistent run in Arteta’s team.
Yet the 23-year-old headed in early from the club’s warm-up against West Ham and was later ruled out with a tight hip.
The enforced change saw Kolasinac return to the first-team just days after he was linked with a return to the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen.
Joe Willock took the 27-year-old’s spot on the bench.
Arsenal meanwhile are looking to secure back-to-back wins to kick-start their Premier League campaign on their return to the Emirates.
In addition to Tierney’s absence, Arteta made two other changes from the side that swept aside Fulham last weekend.
Bukayo Saka is making his first start of the season while Ainsley Maitland-Niles dropped to the bench.
Dani Ceballos has also been given the opportunity to build upon his Craven Cottage cameo in place of Mohamed Elneny.
Mesut Ozil continues to be absent from the first-team squad with new star man Willian flanking Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette in attack.
Ex-Celtic star Kieran Tierney says Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has taught him whole new way of playing football
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
