Charlie Nicholas: 22-year-old would be good Arsenal signing
Sky Sports pundit Charlie Nicholas opens up about Arsenal's pursuit of Celtic defender Kieran Tierney in the summer transfer window
Charlie Nicholas believes Celtic defender Kieran Tierney would be a good addition to the Arsenal team.
The Scotland international has been heavily linked with a move to the Gunners over the past couple of weeks.
Arsenal are reported to have failed with a number of offers for the Scottish defender as Unai Emery looks to strengthen his full-back options.
Emery had to rely upon Bosnia international Sead Kolasinac and Nacho Monreal to play at left-back last term.
And former Arsenal defender Nicholas believes Tierney would be a welcome addition to the Arsenal squad.
“I thought Kieran Tierney would want to stay at Celtic,” Nicholas told Sky Sports’ Transfer Talk podcast.
“He’s a die-hard Celtic fan, they’ve got eight in a row wrapped up, they want to go and do nine, and I thought if Kieran really wanted it, if he does nine then he’ll want to do 10 and get in the history books.
“But the stories I’m hearing here in Glasgow is that he might be keen to move on to the bigger league. That’s really what it’s about, a bigger league.
“Will it make him a better player? Probably. There is a question mark about his defensive frailties. But then again, he would be an improvement for Arsenal – there’s no doubt in my mind about that.”
Tierney has fallen behind Andy Robertson in the pecking order in the Scotland national team following the Liverpool FC defender’s impressive spell at Anfield over the past two seasons.
The Celtic star will be hoping to replicate his captain’s success if a move to the Premier League does materialise for the 22-year-old in the 2019 summer transfer window.
While Robertson has established himself as one of the best crossers in the Premier League, Sky Sports pundit Nicholas says Tierney still needs to work on his final ball.
“He’s power. He’s got a lot of power. The greatest Celtic full-back I ever came across was Danny McGrain and he’s the closest we’ve ever had to him,” Nicholas added.
“Danny could play right-back and left-back, but Kieran is just one-footed, his left foot. He’s got real power, real pace going forward.
“And of course in Glasgow, in Scotland, in the SPFL, that’s domination. His final ball could be a bit better, but I think it has improved.”
Arsenal haven’t signed any players in the summer transfer window so far.
The Gunners suffered a 4-1 loss to bitter rivals Chelsea FC in the Europa League final in Baku at the end of May.
