Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta says he won’t take a ‘gamble’ on Scotland star Kieran Tierney if he doesn’t think he’s fit to play.
Tierney was ruled out for the season earlier this month by the Arsenal manager after suffering a knee injury but he is now in line to return for a crucial Europa League semi-final first leg against La Liga side Villareal tonight in a boost for Scotland.
Tierney could be fit for Arsenal this evening. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
It means that Tierney will likely be fit for Euro 2020 this summer but Arsenal boss Arteta says he won’t take risks with the defender: “Tierney didn’t need the surgery that we were afraid of at the beginning and then he’s been working like a beast every single day.
“I don’t know if he’s going to make it but he certainly wants to be as close as possible to that football pitch to give himself the best possible chance. We do need them, because we know that we have some players that are in contention and they are the ones who can make the difference in a big tie like this.
“But the word risk, I don’t like to put players on the pitch if they can’t perform and they can’t feel secure that they can perform. If it’s a risk or we’re going to take a gamble, then I don’t think it’s the right thing to do.”
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