Ashley Cole has given Kieran Tierney advice on how he feels the young left-back can improve at Arsenal.
Tierney has impressed in his debut season at the Emirates Stadium, having made the move from Celtic last summer.
The 23-year-old has made 23 appearances across all competitions, and has helped the Gunners to the FA Cup final as he searches for his first piece of silverware at the club.
As he looks ahead, there can’t be many finer people to listen to than Cole, who established himself as one of the world’s top left-backs during his time at Arsenal before going on to play for Chelsea.
And the former England international gave his thoughts to the BBC ahead of the cup final against Chelsea on how he feels Tierney can up his game.
“Before he signed, I watched a lot of videos of him at Celtic, and you could see the ability he had with the ball in every zone on the pitch,” Cole said.
“He was comfortable, he could play out, he could drive past players, he could create, he could score goals.
“When he’s come here, I think being under Mikel Arteta has given him that freedom, he’s given Arsenal a bit of belief, and I think they were lacking someone that can defend in bigger games.
“I think he’s a vital piece to Arteta’s team.
Asked how Tierney could improve, Cole replied: “It’s his first year in the Premier League, so I think gaining a little bit of experience, seeing what he’s up against.
“At times, I feel he doesn’t play freely. Whether that’s the manager saying you have to stay in position and defend, he’s got more in his locker.
“He’s got quality on the ball, I’d like to see him driving at players.”
