Kieran Tierney has admitted that Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez was his toughest opponent last season.
Mahrez, who has been at the Etihad Stadium since signing from Leicester City for £60million in 2018, has been linked with a move to the Gunners recently.
According to Eurosport, Arsenal have enquired over both the Algeria international, as well as his City team-mate Raheem Sterling, as Mikel Arteta looks to seriously bolster his attacking options ahead of the 2021/22 season.
However, both Mahrez and Sterling want to stay with the Premier League champions, the same report claims, and will have talks over their situation with the club next month.
Mahrez has shown during his time in England just how difficult he can be to defend against, with his quick dribbling proving near-impossible to face for some full-backs.
Arsenal defender Tierney, who has just put pen-to-paper on a new five-year contract at the Emirates Stadium, has revealed just how difficult the City star is to come up against, as well as Wolves attacker Adama Traore.
"All tough for different reasons. But this season probably Riyad Mahrez or Adama Traore," Tierney replied when asked about his toughest opponent on a Twitter Q&A on Saturday morning.
Mahrez and Arteta seemingly have a strong relationship, with the Arsenal boss previously Pep Guardiola 's assistant at City before taking the managerial job in north London.
The Algerian described Arteta's departure from the Etihad Stadium as an emotional one in 2019.
He told Sky Sports: "Mikel was an important member of staff. So, it was a bit emotional for him to go but he had to take his chance and we are happy for him."
In order to compete for signings like Mahrez, the Gunners will need to raise funds from player sales.
Granit Xhaka is close to moving to AS Roma, while Hector Bellerin is also seeking a transfer, with plenty of other names also being linked with a move away from the Emirates.
