Arsenal have been handed a huge injury blow ahead of their Europa League clash with Standard Liege after Kieran Tierney was reportedly forced to withdraw from the Scotland squad for their upcoming Euro 2020 double-header.
The squad for next month's European Championship qualifiers against Russia and San Marino will be announced by manager Steve Clarke at noon on Tuesday.
Left-back Tierney was expected to feature in the Scots squad following long-term pelvic trouble after making his long-awaited Arsenal debut against Nottingham Forest last week.
However The Sun has claimed that Clarke has opted to exclude him from the squad following talks with the Gunners' medical team, suggesting the defender has suffered yet another injury setback.
Tierney was expected to play a part in Arsenal's Europa League encounter with their Belgian opponents on Thursday but is now doubtful.
The talented 22-year-old has played just 77 minutes of football since his £25million summer move from Celtic and didn't play in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at Old Trafford on Monday night.
It is no doubt a blow for Arsenal fans too, with Tierney leaving the Emirates pitch to a standing ovation after making a good first impression last week.
And former Scotland boss Gordon Strachan, the man who handed the 22-year-old his first international cap, knows that performance was only a taster of what is to come.
He said: “Kieran is seriously a wonderful kid and his understanding of danger is magnificent. He reminds me of Virgil Van Dijk in that way.
“The first time I watched Virgil and Kieran play, I thought, ‘Are you lucky, or are you brilliant at reading the game?’ I’d love to see some analysis on how many times he intercepts or clears the ball in the box.
“He thinks like a forward, so he understands what they’re going to do. You could have six attackers and just him, and Kieran could still sniff the danger and get the ball.
“So he’ll certainly help Arsenal get to the top four, absolutely. Kieran will need a bit of time, he’s still a boy, but he’s an incredible signing for Arsenal.
“He’s more than just a good player — he has incredible spirit, strength, ability, and versatility, he’s perfect for Arsenal.
“He mostly played at left-back or wing-back for Celtic, but he can also play just as well at left centre-back or on the left of a three, which is how Unai Emery has got them playing just now.”
