Arsenal star may have already decided to Leave the Emirates Stadium by January after future uncertainty under Mikel Arteta

Kieran Tierney’s Arsenal career, which began with optimism and excitement in 2019, now looks to be drawing to a close, with the Scottish defender eyeing a return to his former club, Celtic.

After leaving Celtic Park for the Emirates Stadium in a £25 million move, Tierney was widely tipped as a future leader for the Gunners. Yet, a mix of injuries and tactical shifts under Mikel Arteta has seen the 26-year-old gradually fall out of favour.

Tierney made an instant impression in North London, endearing himself to Arsenal fans with his tenacity, energy, and no-nonsense approach. His performances hinted at leadership potential, with many expecting him to wear the captain’s armband one day.

However, the defender’s fortunes began to turn during the 2020/21 season when persistent injuries disrupted his momentum, hampering his ability to build on his early promise.

Despite these setbacks, Tierney remained a respected figure within the squad, but Arsenal’s tactical evolution under Arteta altered his standing. The arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City provided the manager with a more versatile option at left-back.

Zinchenko’s ability to drift into midfield and contribute to Arteta’s possession-based style meant Tierney’s more traditional full-back role became less relevant, relegating him to a bit-part role.

Now, speculation about Tierney’s future has intensified, with reports from TBR Football suggesting the defender is eager to return to Celtic, where he could reunite with manager Brendan Rodgers.

Discussions between Arsenal and Celtic over a potential move took place during the summer transfer window, but progress stalled after Tierney suffered a significant hamstring injury while on international duty with Scotland at the European Championships.

Currently undergoing individual training as part of his recovery, Tierney is expected to regain fitness by January, which would open the door for a possible transfer.

Arsenal are reportedly prepared to let him leave on loan in the winter window, a scenario that would suit Celtic, who are monitoring his situation closely.

A permanent return to Glasgow is also on the table, with the Gunners willing to negotiate a long-term transfer given that Tierney’s contract has just 18 months remaining.

Brendan Rodgers, who managed Tierney during his first spell at Celtic, has not dismissed the possibility of re-signing the defender. Last year, Rodgers acknowledged the financial challenges involved but left the door open for a reunion.

“When I spoke to him down the road in the Premier League, every time we met up all we talked about was Celtic. He’s a Celtic man but he’s at a fantastic club in Arsenal,” Rodgers said.

“You can just never say never in football. Who knows what might happen? We wouldn’t be able to buy Kieran for £25-£30 million, that’s for sure, or the figures I see bandied about. I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t be able to pay the huge salary he’s on. However, one can never tell.”

With the January transfer window approaching, all signs point towards a potential homecoming for Tierney. His strong ties to Celtic, coupled with his relationship with Rodgers, could play a pivotal role in shaping his next move.

For Arsenal, the focus will now shift to ensuring they find a suitable resolution for the talented left-back, whose journey at the Emirates appears to be coming to an end.