Last week, Arsenal were handed the worst news regarding Kieran Tierney as they made preparations to go out and take on Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Eventually, they were handed a 3-0 drubbing by the fellow London club. However, more than the match result, the Gunners were hurt to know that defender Kieran Tierney will miss the rest of the season.

Kieran Tierney did not play on Monday against the Eagles as he complained of knee pain during training on Thursday. Even before the international break, the Scottish defender was playing with discomfort and played every minute with his national team against Poland and Austria. Now, Arsenal have been handed a major setback as Kieran Tierney will undergo knee surgery and miss the rest of the season.

Manager Mikel Arteta, talking about Tierney’s fitness, said it was “not positive” and the club confirmed he will go under the knife. Arsenal posted a statement reading:

“A specialist consultation took place on Tuesday, and as a result of further discussions with Kieran and our medical team, it has been decided that Kieran requires surgery on his knee. This procedure will take place in London in the forthcoming days.

“Kieran’s rehabilitation programme will start immediately after his surgery, at which stage a clearer understanding will be established on his recovery timescale. However, it is likely that Kieran will now miss the remainder of this season.

“Everyone at the club will now be supporting and working hard with Kieran to get him back on the pitch as soon as possible.”

Tierney is also doubtful for Scotland’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine, to be played in June. However, Arsenal is set to lose him immediately and this could hamper their chances for a top-four finish. Against Palace, Nuno Tavares played in his place but Arteta substituted him at half-time as he was partly at fault for the first two goals conceded. Last season, Cedric Soares and Granit Xhaka played as makeshift left-back cover when Tierney was injured.

Arsenal are also short on right-backs as first-choice Takehiro Tomiyasu has still not recovered from a calf injury. Earlier Arteta spoke about being hopeful that the Japanese international could start against Palace.

However, the north Londoners later confirmed that he would not appear until after their match at Southampton on  April 16. Adding to their injury list is Thomas Partey, who got injured in the build-up to the Eagle’s third goal. The Ghanian was in brilliant form for the last several game weeks. The club revealed he was being assessed after his injury.

Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson spoke about Tierney’s injury:

“Kieran Tierney is going to be a big miss for Arsenal. He’s one of the players you can’t afford to take out of this Arsenal team. He’s solid, he’s an 8/10 every week, he sets an example.

“He’s a winner – you know what you’re going to get with him, and he was a big miss on Monday night.

“Nuno Tavares had one of them games at left-back, but it’s hard when you’re out of the team for so long. You’re not really playing football – you’re just training. Even playing in the U23s, it’s not the Premier League.

“To come in and say: ‘Right, play in this game’ – you feel for these players. No matter how much you train, it’s not the same as playing.”

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This Tierney setback has come at the wrong time for Arsenal as this loss against Palace left the club at fifth in the table, level on points with Tottenham in fourth. However, the Gunners have played one less game and both sides have to play against each other.

Arsenal will also face Chelsea, Manchester United and West Ham without the services of the Scotsman. How Arteta manages these games without his primary left-back will define their position at the end of the season.

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