Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s summer business could lead to an alternative role for first-choice full-back Kieran Tierney.
Twenty-one-year-old left-back Nuno Tavares was the Gunners' first signing of the summer, joining in a £7m deal from Benfica earlier this month.
Both Tierney and Sead Kolasinac represent more senior options at left-back, with Tavares earmarked as a signing for the future rather than to stake an immediate claim in Arteta’s first team squad.
But Tavares impressive pre-season form may give his boss a selection headache.
The Portuguese netted his first goal for the club in the Gunners' 2-2 draw with Rangers and has impressed in other warm-up games.
Tierney has been used more centrally on previous occasions but he was given a new role during Arsenal ’s win over Watford on Wednesday - with Arteta experimenting a way to possibly accommodate both the Scotsman and Tavares going forward.
After being introduced in the second half, Tierney was deployed further forward on the left of a front three alongside Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette.
It was a tweak which paid dividends, with the 24-year-old finding the back of the net with a simple finish from point-blank range in the 4-1 victory over the Hornets.
It’s unclear whether Tierney’s future may lie further forward for Arsenal, especially with uncertainty around the future of Kolasinac.
The Bosnian star spent the latter stages of last season on loan at Schalke, and the Gunners would be open to offers as Kolasinac moves into the final year of his contract.
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Tierney recently penned a new five-year deal at the Emirates, which would mean a departure for Kolasinac would likely see Tavares fastracked as the Scotsman understudy.
It’s also worth noting that competition in the Arsenal attacking ranks is fierce, even without the prospect of Tierney playing further forward.
Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have both excelled in that position last term, whilst Eddie Nketiah has impressed with his performances on the left of a front three during pre-season.
The young striker has notched goals against Watford and Rangers to stake his claim for regular minutes.
Even if Arteta fails to utilise Tierney further forward again, the move may be of interest to Scotland boss Steve Clarke.
The Scots are lacking in wide-midfielders, and the proposition of Tierney being able to perform in that role would go some way to
Clarke has had a selection headache previously with Tierney and captain Andy Robertson.
Both play their domestic football in the left-back slot, with Tierney recently being wedged into a back-three on Scotland duty with Robertson further forward as a wing-back to accommodate them both.
Even if a future on the wing isn't forthcoming, Tierney's versatility looks set to continue to benefit both club and country this year.
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