Mikel Arteta believes Kieran Tierney can be a future captain for Arsenal following the left-back’s star turn against West Brom.
Tierney has been one of Arsenal’s most consistent players in what has been a challenging campaign but not only has his ability shone but his character and determination.
Those two aspects of his game were highlighted in the 4-0 victory at The Hawthorns on Saturday as Tierney scored Arsenal’s first with an outstanding run and finish and was influential throughout.
No Gunners player touched the ball more than the Scotland international (95 times) and he led by example, driving the visitors forward and displaying relentless energy on and off the ball.
Tierney’s first season in north London was beset with injury issues suffering hip and shoulder problems as he moved away from Glasgow, but now a settled figure in the team and dressing room, Arteta claims the 23-year-old will only continue to develop in stature at the club.
"I think he can be, because he has the respect and the admiration of every member of the staff and every player,” Arteta said, when asked if he can become club captain.
"It's just the way he is, he does it in a natural way. He's a really shy boy but I think he represents all of the values we want to install and that are in the DNA of this football club.
"He's shy, he's so humble as well. He came here and it took him a while, he had a really bad injury and he's away from home, but he's a natural leader.
"You see how he behaves on that pitch, and when he talks he says the right thing and it's exactly what we're looking for and I'm so pleased to have him in the team.
"In both phases [attacking and defensively] I think he can do really well. He can still improve but at the moment he's a real threat in attack and he's been really solid defensively. It's the type of contribution we need from our full-backs."
Tierney’s development into such a role has been in contrast to Arsenal’s current sitting captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who endured another difficult evening for the club in the Midlands.
Aubameyang moved to the left-hand side to accommodate Alexandre Lacazette through the middle, with Tierney overlapping on his outside, but wasn’t able to offer a sustained attacking impact.
The question has therefore developed about the Gabonese frontman: if he’s not setting the example with his performances on the field as Arsenal’s marquee player, what leadership does he offer?
Whereas Tierney can be classified as a “natural leader”, that’s not necessarily the case with Aubameyang who isn’t necessarily a motivator or organiser.
Arteta insists he’s happy with the 31-year-old’s work rate and application and the goals will soon flow.
“I keep saying, we can’t keep putting all the weight on Auba’s shoulders to score the goals,” he said. “We need contributions.
“Auba had some chances to score on Saturday and it was the same in the last game or so, but I am so pleased because in the final third we looked lively and there was a lot of movement.”
