Arsenal made the perfect start to 2021 on Saturday evening, hammering struggling West Bromwich Albion 4-0 at the Hawthorns.
Goals from Alexandre Lacazette (2), Bukayo Saka and Kieran Tierney sealed a comfortable victory for the Gunners, who extended their winning run to three games in the process.
The victory over the Baggies, who are still yet to win following Sam Allardyce's appointment as manager last month, eased further pressure on Mikel Arteta's shoulders, with the club now just six points outside of the top-four, meaning their general outlook on the campaign has changed massively in a very short space of time.
The Gunners' upturn in fortunes over the past week or so have largely been down to the introduction of Emile Smith Rowe, who has played a key role in the wins over Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion and West Brom. The former Huddersfield Town loanee has slotted straight into the No.10 position, linking up nicely with fellow youngster Saka, who has scored two goals in his last three appearances.
But whilst those two have played key roles in Arsenal's change in fortunes, left-back Tierney was one of the major talking points following the Gunners' win over West Brom.
The Scotland international netted his first Premier League goal of the season, curling home a sublime right-footed effort out of the reach of Sam Johnstone, before he claimed an assist for Lacazette's second and Arsenal's fourth goal of the evening.
It was an impressive showing from the former Celtic man, once again proving that he does have the necessary qualities and credentials to play a key role in Arsenal's future moving forward.
On his display against the Baggies, Gunners chief Arteta said: "He’s been fantastic since I’ve been here. The moment he got back from his shoulder injury, he’s been terrific.
"He’s a lad that gives you everything. He’s improving, he’s willing to do better and better. He brings a great energy and quality to the team."
Tierney's performance on Saturday evening marked just the second game that he has had a direct involvement in a goal so far this season, meaning Arteta will now be hoping that he kicks-on and continues to play a key role in the Gunners' assault to climb the table.
And Tierney's performance at the weekend will not have come as too big a surprise to Tottenham Hotspur head coach Jose Mourinho, who lavished the full-back with praise back in the summer of 2019, following his arrival in north London.
Mourinho told Sky Sports: “Tierney is like a young Nacho Monreal.
"He is the same kind of profile. He’s reliable, looks a good character, looks a great personality.
“He looks a little like someone from a previous generation in some aspects.
“He has a humble way of behaving and I like his profile.”
Eighteen months or so on from Mourinho making that admission, it would be fair to say that the Portuguese chief has been bang on the money. Tierney, who has had to overcome injury problems in the past, has shown that he has all of the right credentials to make it as a big-name player both at the Emirates Stadium and in the Premier League for years to come.
Mourinho, though, was not the only person to back Tierney to be a success in England, with Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk, who also swapped Celtic for the Premier League, backing him to be a success following his arrival in north London.
Speaking a short time after Tierney had joined Arsenal, the Dutchman, as quoted by the Daily Record, said: “It is not an easy step to make and you have to play well to do it. But he has the qualities.
“Kieran made his debut against Dundee when I was at Celtic. I scored a free-kick up there and then he came on and helped us get the win.”
