Arsenal are in a crisis as injuries to Kieran Tierney and Thomas Partey have thrown a wrench into their plans for the rest of the season.
The Gunners are set to be without dependable left-back Tierney for the rest of the season. The Scot has become one of Arsenal’s most important players since signing for the club from Celtic in 2020.
Tierney suffered an injury in the last training session before Monday’s match against Crystal Palace, and his absence was felt as the Eagles ran riot against the Gunners.
His deputy, Nuno Tavares, who joined the club in the summer from Benfica, has failed to impress when called upon. His most recent appearance for the club was in place of the injured Tierney in Arsenal’s 3-0 loss away at Crystal Palace, making the Gunners lose out on fourth place in the league.
Tierney will undergo surgery which will make him miss the rest of the season, according to a statement on the club’s website.
The statement on Tierney’s situation on Arsenal’s website reads: “Assessments and scans have confirmed that Kieran has damaged his left knee. A specialist consultation took place on Tuesday, and as a result of further discussions with Kieran and our medical team, it has been decided that Kieran requires surgery to his knee. This procedure will take place in London in the forthcoming days.
“Kieran’s rehabilitation programme will start immediately after his surgery, at which stage a clearer understanding will be established on his recovery timescale. However, it is likely that Kieran will now miss the remainder of this season.
“Everyone at the club will now be supporting and working hard with Kieran to get him back on the pitch as soon as possible.”
Arsenal are also set to be without Thomas Partey’s services for the foreseeable future after the Ghanaian midfielder was forced off during the loss to Crystal Palace. The extent of the injury is unknown, but Partey will likely miss the next few weeks of action as he recovers from injury.
The Gunners, however, can take solace in the return of right back Takehiro Tomiyasu to training. The Japanese international is expected back on the pitch in mid-April.
Elsewhere, Derby County manager Wayne Rooney has praised Emile Smith-Rowe as an incredible player, while comparing him to Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Adam Lallana.
Rooney, speaking to Sky Sports, revealed that he tried to sign Smith-Rowe in his first few months as Derby County manager and that he remains a big fan of the youngster.
“Yeah, I am [a fan],”Rooney said on Sky Sports. “I think he’s a fantastic young player. When I first went in as manager of Derby, he’s actually a player who I enquired about to try and bring in on loan.
“He can take the ball with both feet, he can score goals, create goals. I really like him and think he’s got a bright future.
“I think he’s quite similar to Adam Lallana in how he runs with the ball and off both feet. He makes good runs to get in behind. He’s got an eye for goal. I really like him.”
Smith-Rowe currently has a deal at the Emirates stadium until 2026.
