Mikel Arteta dropped a rather surprising hint about Gabriel Martinelli and Kieran Tierney following Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Newcastle United. Speaking after the win over the Magpies, Arteta hinted at a slight problem in the link-up play between Martinelli and Tierney, suggesting the teenager benefitting from Granit Xhaka filling in as a makeshift left-back.
Mikel Arteta said: “Yeah, it is a connection there. I think having Granit behind him helps him in a way because he’s more in the line, in the last line, on the left when he is more comfortable. With Kieran it’s a little bit different. Those relationships we have to feel.”
There is a simple way for Arteta to avoid this issue when Tierney is available for selection again and that’s by making one small tweak to his lineup.
