Kieran Tierney is poised to make his long-awaited return to the Arsenal lineup after a 493-day absence. The 27-year-old left-back, who hasn’t featured for the club since August 2023, is expected to start in Wednesday’s crucial Champions League match against Monaco.
Tierney, who spent last season on loan at La Liga’s Real Sociedad, was sidelined by a hamstring injury sustained at Euro 2024 but is now fit to play.
With several key players—Thomas Partey, Jurrien Timber, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Gabriel Magalhães—missing training on Tuesday, Mikel Arteta has acknowledged that some may not be fit for the Monaco clash. This has opened the door for Tierney to make his much-anticipated return to the first team.
Arteta praised Tierney’s readiness and commitment, stating: “He is ready, he’s training really well, and he’s going to have an opportunity for sure.
The way the team is looking at the moment, he’s going to do that for that reason and because he’s earned it. The way he’s behaved, the way he’s been with us, he’s willing to do it when the time comes.”
Tierney is likely to line up alongside Timber, William Saliba, and Jakub Kiwior in defense, while Martin Ødegaard, Jorginho, and Mikel Merino are expected to occupy the midfield.
Declan Rice might be rested for this match. The attacking trio of Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Martinelli will likely lead the charge.
Arsenal’s Predicted XI vs Monaco (4-3-3):
Raya; Timber, Saliba, Kiwior, Tierney; Ødegaard, Rice, Merino; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli.
A win over Monaco, who previously defeated Barcelona, would bring Arsenal level on points with teams like Brest, Inter Milan, Aston Villa, and Bayer Leverkusen—five points behind group leaders Liverpool with two games left. Arteta remains resolute despite the injury crisis, saying, “It is what it is.”
