Former Arsenal man Frimpong has advice for Tierney: You should go to Newcastle!
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 03.03.23. | 15:00
Emmanuel Frimpong rates the Scotsman as a better defender than Zinchenko
Former Arsenal and Black Stars midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong is a big fan of Kieran Tierney, the Gunners' underused left-back. The Ghanaian explained that the former Celtic player is better at the back than Oleksandr Zinchenko, who's currently Mikel Arteta's first choice at the Emirates.
Tierney has been one of the big characters at this club and even during tough times so I don't think he'll go out without a fight. Considering the form of Zinchenko and the number of competitions we are in, he understands the situation. Tierney is not a quitter, he's a fighter pic.twitter.com/zdvjCSlqPP
— J. Julius Julu (@JuliusJulu7) March 3, 2023
Frimpong urged Tierney to accept a transfer offer from Newcastle United - if it's indeed still on the table.
"Kieran Tierney has been outstanding since signing for Arsenal in 2019. He's one of the players I love because he always fights for Arsenal and the badge. Oleksandr Zinchenko has come in and performed well. With the way Arsenal play at the moment, Zinchenko suits the team more. Tierney is undoubtedly the better defender, but you need to do more than just defend to play in this Arsenal team."
Frimpong, who spent three years at the Emirates in the Arsene Wenger era, reckons this is an excellent time to join the Magpies because the new owners will invest heavily to make the team fight for titles. The Kumasi-born 31-year-old says Arsenal would also benefit from selling the defender.
"I don't think Arsenal would regret Tierney leaving for a club like Newcastle. Newcastle would be a great destination for Tierney because they are pushing up the league, fighting for the top four and are a team on the up, just like Arsenal. There might not be too much difference in the quality of the teams, just location. Playing at St James' Park in front of crazy and passionate fans, I'm sure he would love the move."
Injuries have hampered Tierney's career in north London since his $27 million move from Celtic in 2019. Arteta invested heavily to bring Zinchenko from Manchester City, limiting Tierney to just four Premier League starts this season. At the age of 25, he is desperate for regular first-team football.
Emmanuel Frimpong thinks Oleksandr Zinchenko would get into the Arsenal invincibles team ahead of Ashley Cole 🤔 pic.twitter.com/cYWGOqUC8h
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) February 3, 2023
The Chronicle says Tierney is growing frustrated at Arsenal and he's open to moving to St James' Park. That would allow Tierney to return closer to his native Glasgow, while his chances of first-team football would be far greater with Newcastle.
