Arsenal's Arteta unsure of Tierney's return this season after knee injury

Arsenal's Kieran Tierney will spend at least a month on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury during the 3-0 loss to Liverpool over the weekend.

Published : Apr 07, 2021 19:11 IST

Arsenal left back Kieran Tierney will be sidelined for four to six weeks with a knee injury and manager Mikel Arteta said on Wednesday that he was not sure if the defender would play a part again this season.

Arsenal said Tierney, who was forced off with a knee problem just before halftime in a 3-0 loss to Liverpool over the weekend, sustained ligament damage to his left knee and added that surgery would not be required.

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Tierney's injury is a major blow for Arsenal as the defender was also one of the side's chief creators in attack and Arteta could not guarantee the Scotland international's involvement at the Euros in June-July.

"We will have to go day by day, when we get close and depending how he's feeling, we will make that decision," Arteta told reporters ahead of Thursday's Europa League quarter-final, first leg against Slavia Prague.

"It will depend on how things evolve in the next few weeks. He's so keen to play for us before the end of the season and is extremely keen to play for his country at the Euros."

Arsenal added midfielder Martin Odegaard has been "experiencing discomfort to his right ankle" since he returned from international duty with Norway and Arteta said the 22-year-old would be assessed again later on Wednesday.

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David Luiz remains sidelined after a procedure on his knee but Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, who missed the Liverpool game with thigh injuries, and Granit Xhaka are back in training and available for selection.

Slavia Prague knocked out Leicester City and Rangers in the previous rounds and Arteta said he was wary of the threat the Czech club posed.

"They are a really strong side. They've been unbeaten in the league," Arteta said. "They've always been in the game. Really difficult, brave and exciting. Top attitude all the time," he added.

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