Arsenal full-back Kieran Tierney says he dislocated his shoulder "three times in 10 minutes" during Arsenal's win at West Ham in December.
The former Celtic defender endured an injury-hit start to his career in English football having signed from Celtic in the summer, and he finally made his debut in a Carabao Cup win over Nottingham Forest in September.
That was the first of 11 appearances he made for the Gunners this season, with the 11th of those coming against West Ham at the London Stadium, when he was forced off after dislocating his shoulder in 29th minute.
Speaking to SportBible's Facebook channel, Tierney has now opened up on the severity of the injury: "Mentally it was probably the toughest time of my life. In my head I was thinking, 'I need an operation now.' I knew," he said.
"Three times in ten minutes, nobody’s shoulder should be going like that.
"So in my head as I was lying down I was thinking, 'That’s me out for another few months'.
"I knew that devastation straight away and I think you can see it on my face."
Tierney is now returning to full fitness and hopes to play his first game under Gunners boss Mikel Arteta when football returns.
"I know the way the team play, how they want to play and how the manager wants to do his things," he added.
"It’s never ideal sitting on the sideline watching but I just want the team to win and be successful.
"Everybody loves going out and playing football but to be mentally tough and to deal with all these obstacles and hurdles that people throw at you, it’s the hardest part but when you get to the other side it’s the most rewarding part."
