IT wasn’t exactly the sight Arsenal fans wanted to see as Kieran Tierney returned to the Gunners starting line-up for the first time in a whopping NINETEEN months.
With 69 minutes on the clock, the Scotland and Celtic hero glanced over at manager Mikel Arteta as concerned team-mates checked on his status.
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But the good news for all concerned is that his early departure from the action on the 69th minute was nothing more than a touch of cramp – and only precautionary.
While he was keen to continue, his manager felt it was better for him not to overdo it on his first outing for nineteen months – with the star earning a huge ovation from the Emirates crowd and a big hug from manager Mikel Arteta,
And Tierney can feel more than pleased with his evening’s work after such a long absence.
This was no easy outing, not least when Palace raced into a shock third minute lead in this Carabao Cup quarter final.
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This was the player’s first competitive action of any kind since limping out of Euro 2024 duty with Scotland.
And it can’t come at a better time with the transfer window set to re-open in a fortnight’s time – and some massive games for Scotland on the horizon in the Nations League play-offs and World Cup qualifiers.
This was Tierney’s first appearance for Arsenal since last season’s Community Shield defeat to Man City – and his first start since a 3-0 defeat to Brighton the May before.
It was the kind of performance which suggested he had never been away, as he defended with his usual concentration and made numerous bursts forward.
Going off at 1-1 as Arsenal chased the game, the hero ultimately proved to be striker Gabriel Jesus, who bagged a fine hat-trick.
That took the game away from Palace despite goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta and former Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah.
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One comment on X read: “Kieran Tierney seems to be saying that he is ok, clearly a precautionary change and good to see him back playing.”
Another wrote: “I suspect it might be one of his last appearances for Arsenal but well done Kieran Tierney.
“Very good performance and hopefully showed Arteta that type of player is still a valuable option.”
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