ARSENAL boss Freddie Ljungberg has not been playing Kieran Tierney because of secret shoulder injury, according to reports.
The Scottish £25million signing, 22, has played ten times this season since coming back from a hip injury in September.
Kieran Tierney has been battling a secret shoulder injury, according to reportsCredit: Getty
But he has been mostly limited to appearances off the bench, including in Thursday’s match against Brighton.
Tierney even missed the game against Norwich – a 2-2 draw – entirely.
Some Arsenal fans have quizzed Ljunberg’s decision to leave the talented left-back out of those games.
But The Athletic now claim it’s due a concern about a shoulder injury.
Tierney missed the first six weeks of the season with a hip injury sustained at the end of the 2018-19 season.
And it’s been slow progress ever since, with David Ornstein revealing: “It is believed the delay in fully integrating Kieran Tierney at left-back has not only been down to a hip injury but also a shoulder problem.”
The Gunners’ defensive woes have been well-documented this season – conceding 23 times in just 15 matches going into their game with West Ham on Monday night.
Ahead of the clash at the London Stadium, Arsenal sit 11th in the Premier League with a goal difference of -2 and have already sacked Unai Emery.
Time and time again David Luiz and Shkodran Mustafi have proved they’re unable to play with any consistency at the back.
Tierney and fellow full-back Hector Bellerin, along with centre-back Rob Holding, have also been hampered by injuries.
Ljungberg will be hoping Tierney fully recovers from his mystery shoulder knock as soon as possible in a bid to halt the club’s horror run of form.
Arsenal are now enduring their worst run in 42 years after their 2-1 defeat at home to Brighton.
West Ham vs Arsenal: Live stream, TV channel and kick-off time for the Premier League clash
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
