Kieran Tierney says everyone wants Arsenal to return to the Champions League, but there’s still a long way to go.
Arsenal’s recent run of games has reignited hopes of a top-four finish this season, after those hopes appeared to be hanging by a thread just weeks ago – following consecutive defeats to Manchester United and Everton.
Mikel Arteta’s side now sit fourth, four points ahead of West Ham United, though Tottenham Hotspur are five points behind with two games in hand.
The good news is that Spurs and Manchester United spent the weekend wasting their games in hand. But the bad news is that Arsenal have to play Manchester City next, which could let them both back in.
Assessing the situation, Kieran Tierney admitted Champions League football is the goal, but not the expectation yet.
“It’s obviously what every Arsenal fan, player, and staff wants, but there is a long way to go,” Tierney said.
“We can’t get too ahead of ourselves yet. There are big games coming up and there are a lot of games coming, so there’s still a long way [to go].
“We are getting a run together. We are happy, we are playing well and we are scoring goals. We are getting there. It was good [today].
“We have got a very young team and it’s brilliant to see. Hopefully, for years to come, we are all playing together and growing together. I think you can see that over the last year or so.”
January could certainly give Arsenal’s hopes a big boost, with good results home to City and away to Spurs. But those fixtures haven’t been particularly happy hunting grounds in recent years, so Tierney is right to suggest we take things step-by-step.