Arsenal star ‘expected to leave’ after being left out of starting XI for Nottingham Forest clash

The Gunners could lose a first team player before the end of the transfer window

August 12, 2023 at 1:24 pm GMT+1

Arsenal defender Kieran Tierney is ‘expected to leave’ the club this summer after being left out of the matchday squad for the Premier League opener against Nottingham Forest.

The Scot has been strongly linked with a move away since last season, where he lost his place in the starting XI to new signing Oleksandr Zinchenko. In pre-season, he also lost his spot to centre-backs Jakub Kiwior and Jurrien Timber, who were both deployed at left-back, while Timber kept his place for the opening game of the season.

Coming on as a substitute in the Community Shield final, Tierney was at part fault for the Manchester City opening goal, losing his balance as Cole Palmer fired home from 20 yards.

London, UK. 6th Aug, 2023. Kieran Tierney of Arsenal during the The FA Community Shield match at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture credit should read: Paul Terry/Sportimage Credit: Sportimage Ltd/Alamy Live News 2RG5PB4 London, UK. 6th Aug, 2023. Kieran Tierney of Arsenal during the The FA Community Shield match at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture credit should read: Paul Terry/Sportimage Credit: Sportimage Ltd/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)

He has been linked with a move to Manchester City, Newcastle United and Aston Villa as well as a move to Spanish outfit Real Sociedad, though no offers have yet been put forward for the Scot.

However, as per Fabrizio Romano he is ‘still expected to leave Arsenal’ before the end of the transfer window, and it could be Spain that ends up being his final destination.

According to Matteo Moretto, the move to Real Sociedad is ‘a live option on the table and is advancing’, though the structure of the deal at present is problematic. As it stands, Sociedad would like to take the Scot on loan, while Arsenal are keen to see Tierney leave on a permanent basis rather than sanctioning a loan deal.

Tierney is among several that Arsenal are keen to shift this summer, along with fellow defenders Nuno Tavares and Rob Holding. They are also keen to offload record-signing Nicolas Pepe, as well as Albert Sambi Lokonga.