The prospect of Kieran Tierney leaving Arsenal during the January transfer window now appears improbable, despite earlier indications that both the club and the player were preparing for a parting of ways.
Arsenal’s mounting injury problems in defence have shifted priorities, making it unlikely that the Scottish left-back will be allowed to depart mid-season.
Tierney, who has previously expressed a desire to leave Arsenal for more regular playing time, was expected to be available in January following the club’s decision not to extend his contract, which expires in June 2025. Speculation linking him to a return to Celtic, where manager Brendan Rodgers is reportedly keen on a loan deal with a view to a permanent move, gained traction in recent weeks.
Asked about Tierney going back to Celtic, Callum MCGregor said, “I’ve not spoken to Kieran yet but I have seen all the stuff that’s been written.
“I don’t know too much about it – but we’re generally the last ones to know.
“When someone appears in the building, then we’ll go and meet them. He’s a quality player. I’ve been in war with him for a number of years now.
“He’s a good guy and we’ll see what happens.”
However, Arsenal’s current defensive situation complicates such plans. Injuries to full-backs Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ben White, and Takehiro Tomiyasu have left Mikel Arteta short of options at the back. With Riccardo Calafiori only recently returning to fitness and academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly still developing, Tierney’s experience and versatility are now critical to Arsenal’s squad depth.
Arteta addressed Tierney’s situation during a recent press conference, confirming that the defender has not requested a move in January. “He hasn’t come to me and said, ‘I want to move,’” Arteta said. “In the past, if we had any doubts, he came to me and said, ‘I think it’s my time to move,’ but this hasn’t been the case yet.”
Tierney’s role in Arsenal’s 3-2 Carabao Cup victory over Crystal Palace further underscores his importance. Making his first appearance on a football pitch in six months, the 27-year-old played 69 minutes in a rare opportunity to demonstrate his quality. Though Tierney has struggled to fit into Arteta’s tactical system, which favours inverted full-backs, his reliability and fitness could be vital in the weeks ahead.
Reports had suggested that Arsenal might consider cashing in on Tierney in January, potentially securing a transfer fee and saving on wages. Premier League sides, as well as Tierney’s former club Celtic, are thought to be monitoring his situation. However, Arsenal’s defensive injuries and their ongoing fight on multiple fronts—domestic and European—make a mid-season departure increasingly unlikely.
For Tierney, the uncertainty surrounding his future continues. While he could negotiate a pre-contract agreement with non-English clubs starting in January, a summer move now seems the more realistic outcome.
Arsenal fans, who have long admired Tierney’s commitment and tenacity, may yet see the Scottish international play a key role during the second half of the season.
As injuries and fixture congestion mount, Tierney’s experience and professionalism could prove invaluable to Arsenal’s ambitions. For now, both player and club appear set to wait until the summer to decide his long-term future.