Ashley Cole assesses ‘brilliant’ impact of left-back Kieran Tierney at Arsenal

The Scotland international admits he has now fully settled under Mikel Arteta

Ashley Cole insists fellow left-back Kieran Tierney is the “star” of Arsenal’s defence after shining once more for the Gunners since the Premier League restart.

The Scotland international has put an injury-hit debut season behind him since moving to north London from Celtic.

The 23-year-old is thriving as a wing-back under Mikel Arteta, who has handed him a wing-back role to influence the game at both ends of the pitch.

And former Gunners star Cole has been impressed by Tierney’s all-round game over the last month.

“I think he’s been solid. He came to Arsenal with high expectation, he was brilliant at Celtic,” Cole said on Sky Sports.

Tierney has impressed since the restart (2020 Pool)

“He came carrying an injury and now he is starting to get back to fitness and now he is the star of this Arsenal defence.

“He has top qualities, he can play into the striker, join attacks well, he has the quality of pass and he can defend one versus one.

“He doesn’t like to get beat, he isn’t happy when crosses go in so I think for Arsenal he is a great player. He can improve but so far he has been brilliant.”

Tierney himself insists he is now “settled” at Arsenal, with the break due to coronavirus helping him adjust to the challenges of his new club.

“I feel since the break that we’ve had I’ve come back a lot more settled – even in London itself, I’m feeling a bit more settled,” Tierney told Sky Sports.

“That break did me wonders and I’ve come back feeling more part of the team. The boss has been great with me and I’m grateful for every single opportunity that I get.”