Kieran Tierney has told Four Four Two that he loves it at Arsenal as the defender gets ready to sign a new Arsenal deal.
Kieran Tierney has, incredibly, been linked with a move away this summer but Arsenal fans knew that was unlikely to happen. Instead, one of the standout stars from Arsenal’s poor season is ready to commit his future to the club, signing a new deal until 2026 that comes with a pay rise of around £35kpw.
Speaking to Four Four Two before Scotland held England to a 0-0 draw, a game in which Tierney was the highest rated outfield player in the Scottish side, he was asked about how his life changed when he moved from Glasgow to London.
“Glasgow and London are completely different cities,” Tierney said. “Everything was new to me. It was doubly difficult because I was injured when I signed and taking a bit of stick back home for leaving Celtic.
“So, you have your moments when you miss your nearest and dearest. I didn’t know my team-mates too well at that stage, so it all adds up. There was a flicker of ‘what have I done?’ but that passed very quickly.
“I love it at Arsenal and I’m well looked-after. Time is also a healer and my love for Celtic will never change – I hope people realise that. The decision to leave was the hardest of my life.
“I knew that going to Arsenal was a massive jump and that it would challenge me in ways that wouldn’t even have occurred to me beforehand. It’s not been easy, and the transition off the park was a lot harder than it was on it, but having had a bit of breathing space to reflect on things, it’s made me a better player and a better person. That’s the main objective in life, isn’t it? To be the best version of yourself that you can be.”
He was also asked about that infamous Tesco shopping bag and his tendency to wear short sleeves and t-shirts, even when it’s snowing.
“When my mates from back home saw the picture of me with my boots in a carrier bag, they were straight onto me. They said I had changed, because I’d gone from Aldi and Lidl to Tesco! Everyone else commenting seemed to be talking about how refreshing it was, but my mates were slaughtering me. It wasn’t something I’d thought twice about.
“I had a pair of boots I had to take with me, and the only thing I had in the house was a Tesco bag. If they’re reading this, I’m still waiting on that endorsement deal! [Laughs]
“In terms of the t-shirts in cold weather, it’s as simple as wearing a jumper once for training when I was 15 and feeling restricted in it. I think it was snowing that night as well. I’ve worn t-shirts ever since and I’ve probably backed myself into a corner – if I suddenly went for a snood or some gloves, the medical team here would probably be concerned that I wasn’t feeling right…”
The news that Tierney has agreed a five-year deal with Arsenal which is expected to be signed in the coming days was greeted with universal approval from Arsenal fans, many of whom tip Tierney to become Arsenal captain sooner rather than later.