Arsenal star Kieran Tierney hails ‘amazing’ Mikel Arteta as defender aims to repay boss’ faith after injury

KIERAN TIERNEY has hailed Mikel Arteta's "amazing" understanding of the game.

The former Celtic star, 22, has not yet played under the Gunners boss as he has been out of action with a shoulder injury since December.

Tierney made a slow start to life in London following his £25million move as he recovered from a hernia operation.

He started just four league games and made eight appearances for Arsenal while Unai Emery was in charge.

The 22-year-old then dislocated his shoulder - but admitted Arteta's impact at the Emirates has been incredible.

He told Sky Sports: "I've seen all his video meetings, I've been in the meetings together as a team, before the games, after the games and just his analysis is amazing.

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"In Dubai for the winter break I was doing some one-on-one work with him and that's when I realised this is brilliant, I'm learning a lot in a rehab session.

"He knows what's going to happen in a game and how it's going to happen and what you should do, where you're going to get pressed from and where your options should be.

"You should know where the left-mid is going to be and the centre-mid so you can just play in sync, everybody is using one brain and I think that's perfect.

"Hopefully when I'm back fit I can get the chance to play and just build up fitness and confidence again."

Arteta has predicted Tierney will bring "something special" to the Arsenal squad when he's back to full fitness.

Arteta told Ian Wright: "I am really looking forward to working with him and giving him the opportunity to play.

"His attitude, his commitment, his willingness, it's incredible.

"I think he's going to bring something special to us."