Arsenal have confirmed that Kieran Tierney requires surgery on a knee injury and is likely to miss the crucial Premier League top-four run-in.
The Gunners turned their form around in recent weeks to become the driving force in the hunt for a top-four Premier League finish. However, Monday’s defeat to Crystal Palace put a major spanner in the works.
Mikel Arteta’s side lost 3-0 at Selhurst Park and their defence looked shakier than in previous performances.
Indeed, they were without Scotland left-back Tierney, who has formed part of Arsenal’s solid back four.
Nuno Tavares played instead, but the summer signing has a history of not faring well under Arteta. Tierney missed the match because of discomfort to his left knee in training after the international break.
Arteta admitted after Monday’s defeat that Tierney had a bad feeling about the injury and the scans concurred.
And a statement from Arsenal revealed that the 24-year-old will requires surgery.
The statement added that while a definitive return timescale remains unclear, he will likely miss the rest of the season.
But, Arsenal’s full-back woes do not end there. Arsenal also revealed a setback for right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu. The Japanese star has not played since January after an initial injury to his right calf.
While Tomiyasu came through that issue, he is now nursing a left calf injury.
Arsenal hoped to have him back immediately after the international break, but he will not return to full training for another two weeks, the club have said.
Midfielder Thomas Partey did play against Palace but could not complete the full 90 minutes.
Arsenal revealed he has “aggravated” his thigh and his fitness is back under scrutiny.
The triple injury blow for the Gunners comes amid the – on paper – most testing part of their top-four run-in.
They have won six of their past nine Premier League games against the likes of Aston Villa, Wolves and Leicester.
Aside from Palace, Liverpool are the only other team to inflict defeat on Arsenal in that time – and their upcoming games are against their top-four rivals and above.
After facing Brighton and Southampton, the Gunners play Chelsea, Manchester United and West Ham in successive matches.
They also play Tottenham on the penultimate weekend of the season.
As such, Arteta will be hoping his side can refocus on their next two matches ahead of clashes with the top four.
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