Forgotten Arsenal man returns to training in timely boost to Mikel Arteta

Arsenal welcomed left-back Kieran Tierney back to team training this week as the Scotland international steps up his return to competitive action.

Tierney spent last season on loan with Real Sociedad in Spain and had been tipped to leave the club permanently during the summer, only for a nasty hamstring injury at Euro 2024 to put an end to any talk of a potential transfer.

He returned to individual training in September and now appears to be back with Mikel Arteta's group, with training footage showing Tierney involved with the rest of the squad.

Tierney lost his place in the Arsenal starting lineup during the 2022/23 season, starting just six Premier League games, before his career at the Emirates looked to be drawn to a close with the Sociedad loan.

Unfortunately, a handful of muscle injuries limited him to just 14 La Liga starts last year, and his comeback with Scotland came to an abrupt end with a hamstring injury in the Euro group stage.

Now back and available to Arsenal, Tierney, who is included in the Gunners' Champions League squad, could offer some vital cover at a time in which Arteta's side face a never-ending run of matches.

Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu are both unavailable, which could present an opportunity for Tierney to return, although Arteta does still have Jurrien Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior to call on at left-back.

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