Arsenal confirm Kieran Tierney will feature against Standard Liege despite defender withdrawing from Scotland squad to recover from injury
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UNAI EMERY asked Kieran Tierney not to play for Scotland as he eases his £25million defender back to full fitness.
Scotland boss Steve Clarke wanted to include former Celtic left-back Tierney in his squad for next week’s crucial Euro qualifiers against Russia and San Marino.
But Emery insists it is too soon for Tierney to think about international football after just 75 minutes of action for Arsenal.
Instead the player will continue his rehabilitation from a summer hernia operation against Standard Liege tomorrow after making his Gunners debut against Nottingham Forest last week.
Emery confirmed: “I spoke with Kieran yesterday about playing for his national team because we are still waiting for him to be playing consistently for us.
“He needs more time and confidence after his injury and each step of his comeback is important.
“And if we are taking precautions with him, it’s important that he doesn’t play for the national team.
“He didn’t play at Manchester United on Monday because he had a small problem. It was not important but we felt it was better for him to stay at the training ground to work and prepare for the next games.
“The game against Liege is a good opportunity for him to show his progress and he is ready to play.”
Emery is set to make wholesale changes tomorrow after Monday’s 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
And that will give back-up keeper Emiliano Martinez another opportunity to prove that he is ready to oust Bernd Leno as Emery’s number one.
The Argentine international has not conceded in his two appearances this season against Eintracht Frankfurt and Nottingham Forest.
And he says: “I have been at Arsenal for nearly ten years and I have to believe I am the number one.
“I am working really hard to challenge Bernd and the goalkeeping coaches here have taken me to another level.
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“My goals are now much higher and my confidence is really high after being called up by Argentina.
“I joined this club as a young boy but now I am a grown man and I believe in Unai’s work.
“I have spent some time away from Arsenal on loan but it was a really good decision to stay this season and the Europa League is a good opportunity for me to show what I am capable of.”