By Betsefy
Arsenal have been provided with yet another injury concern ahead of Saturday’s meeting versus Tottenham Hotspur with Kieran Tierney withdrawing from the Scotland squad.
The Gunners went into the international break sitting at the top of the Premier League standings courtesy of collecting 18 points from their opening seven fixtures.
With Spurs and Liverpool the visitors to the Emirates Stadium for their next two matches, it represents an important return as they bid to remain as contenders for the title in the long term.
However, Arsenal have not been short of activity in the treatment room, even if some of the developments have been regarded as positive news.
A recent report indicated that Oleksandr Zinchenko, Martin Odegaard – who represented Norway over the weekend – and Reiss Nelson stand to be available for the upcoming North London derby.
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Nevertheless, there remains lingering issues regarding Takehiro Tomiyasu and Thomas Partey, who were not made available for their respective nation’s latest international fixtures.
The same now applies to Tierney who has been left unable to make a third appearance in succession in the UEFA Nations League for Scotland.
Having played 86 minutes against Ukraine on Wednesday, Tierney was forced off at the 42-minute mark versus Republic of Ireland three days later due to a head injury.
Tartan Army head coach Steve Clarke suggested after the game that he expected the left-back to be fit for the reverse fixture with Ukraine on Tuesday evening.
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At the time, the 25-year-old appeared ready to continue before being withdrawn due to concussion protocols, but a statement from Arsenal has confirmed his withdrawal.
It read: “Our defender is back as a precaution after being substituted due to sustaining a head injury whilst playing for Scotland in their UEFA Nations League fixture against the Republic of Ireland.”
Mikel Arteta has used Tierney on six occasions in the top flight this campaign, three of those outings coming from the starting lineup in the absence of Zinchenko.
While Tierney will now be assessed ahead of the upcoming showdown with their fierce rivals, any selection in the first XI may be dependent on whether Zinchenko is available again after a calf injury.
