KIERAN TIERNEY has revealed how one chat with Hector Bellerin ‘changed everything’ for him at Arsenal.
The 23-year-old struggled to settle in at the Emirates following his £25million move from Celtic in August.
Kieran Tierney and Hector Bellerin have formed a close bond at Arsenal Credit: Getty – Contributor
Tierney admitted he felt ‘pretty nervous’ until Bellerin sat him down in the changing room for a chat.
Speaking in a documentary about Bellerin called ‘Unseen Journey’, he said: “I think he could see when I came that I was pretty nervous. I had the young boy look about me.
“You don’t have much time to settle in [at Arsenal]. You are playing with big players and big names, so you have to hit the ground running.
“I remember that I probably overthought every mistake I made.
“I went home and was like, ‘I could have done better, I could have done this’. Whereas I wish I had just relaxed a little bit more and enjoyed it.
“And that was the time Hector said to me, ‘you’re good enough to play here, just believe in yourself’.
“That helped me so much. Just that little talk. It was after training in the changing room.
“Me and him had just done a gym session and after it we sat down for an hour and spoke. I think that changed everything.
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Both players have now cemented their spot in Mikel Arteta’s squadCredit: AFP – Getty
“I went home that night feeling much better about myself. I remember texting him saying thanks so much for that chat, it helped me so much.
“I went in the next day with a different mindset, a different confidence and it was a big part to do with Hector.”
Tierney and Bellerin spent a lot of time together after he joined as they were both out injured.
The former Celtic star has now lifted the lid on how Bellerin made him feel at home from day one.
He said: “The way I got so close to Hector was on my first day, he came up and introduced himself.
“He said he would be spending a lot of time with me because he was injured and I was injured.
“So straight away I felt a good connection and I knew how big a name he was as well, so coming into a changing room with big names, for him to do that was so nice and it helped me settle in straight away.
“I used to say to my family, ‘Hector’s helping me, Hector’s taking me out today, Hector’s doing this’.
The Scottish star has made 16 Premier League appearances this season Credit: Getty Images – Getty
“I think they even appreciate how much he helped me.
“The biggest influence in the team for me would be him. He helped me the most.
“I wouldn’t have been as comfortable at Arsenal or in London without him.
“He helped me from day one. I can’t thank him enough for that.”
Tierney ended up making his Arsenal debut during a 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest in the Carabao Cup.
On the same night, Bellerin made his long-awaited return from a cruciate ligament injury.
Tierney soon established himself as a fan favourite – and not just for his performances on the pitch.
He was hailed as a ‘future captain’ after he rocked up to a game with his gear in a Tesco carrier bag.
And he revealed his homage to both Arsenal and Celtic – by wearing custom shin pads.
The defender has now secured his spot in Mikel Arteta’s side after an impressive spell of form.
He has made 16 appearances in the Premier League this season, scoring one goal.
Watch Kieran Tierney arrive in just T-SHIRT before Arsenal win over Dundalk in freezing temperatures as others wrap up
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
