Here is your Arsenal morning digest for Friday, February 5th.
Kieran Tierney update
Mikel Arteta is hoping to have Kieran Tierney back to full fitness as soon as possible but the Scotland defender is set to miss this weekend's clash against Aston Villa.
Tierney has missed Arsenal's last four matches through injury, a sequence that started with the FA Cup defeat to Southampton, and is poised to miss out once again.
"Kieran is a player that really pushes himself and he has to be able to perform physically at his best because he cannot hold himself. Even in training he can’t hold himself.
"We are trying to manage him in the best possible way and find every possibility to give him the best chance to be fit as soon as possible, and we are here to support him as much as we can."
See everything Arteta said ahead of the Villa clash here.
VAR transparency needed
Arsenal were left reeling on Thursday following the news that the Football Association had upheld David Luiz's one-match ban after his dismissal against Wolves.
The Gunners had appealed the decision but their attempts were rebuffed, although frustratingly, Southampton were successful with their appeal on Jan Bednarek's dismissal against Manchester United.
That has highlighted one of the biggest issues with VAR and greater transparency on the decision-making process is needed, Chris Wheatley writes.
Phillips intrigued ahead of Maitland-Niles debut
Former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips has stated he is intrigued to see how Sam Allardyce will utilise Ainsley Maitland-Niles following his deadline day arrival from Arsenal.
The England international will spend the remainder of the season on loan with the Hawthorns and, while his preference is to play in midfield, Phillips is not certain on how he'll line-up.
"Maitland-Niles is an experienced Premier League player at such a young age and he brings great qualities but I’m more interested in seeing where he’s played," he told West Brom News.
“Will he be in the holding midfield role and Livermore or Sawyers drops out and the two new signings come in? I’m really intrigued to see what Allardyce does against Tottenham on Sunday.”
