LONDON (UK) – Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said Kieran Tierney is a natural leader with the potential to be the future skipper of the team. This came after the Scottish defender netted a goal and set up another in Saturday’s 4-0 Premier League victory at West Bromwich Albion.
Tierney, who has started 16 of Arsenal’s 17 league matches this season, scored his second goal in the first half before setting up Alexandre Lacazette as the side became victorious in their third consecutive game in the competition.
When media persons asked if 23-year-old Tierney could be a future Arsenal captain, Arteta said: “I think he can be, because he has the respect and the admiration of every member of the staff and every player.
“It’s just the way he is, he does it in a natural way. He’s a shy boy but I think he represents all of the values we want to install and that are in the DNA of this club.
“He came here and it took him a while, he had a really bad injury… but he’s a natural leader. You see how he behaves on that pitch, and when he talks he says the right thing and it’s exactly what we’re looking for.”
Arteta also said he would discuss with Lacazette in the summer about extending the contract into the final 18 months of his deal.
Lacazette has netted four goals in his last three games for the club, which are placed 11th.
“I’m delighted with the way he’s performing, the goals he’s scoring and the form and energy he’s got at the moment, so he needs to keep doing that,” Arteta said.