Arsenal star says goodbye to fans ahead of exit | OneFootball

Kieran Tierney has bid an emotional farewell to Arsenal supporters, bringing his six-year spell at the club to a close with gratitude.

Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images

The Scotland international departs as a free agent this summer, having joined from Celtic in 2019 for a fee of €27m. He made 144 appearances for Arsenal, scored six goals, and provided 14 assists, the last of those goals coming in his final outing for the club on the last day of the season against Southampton.

Tierney’s time in north London was punctuated by injury. He missed 94 matches through a succession of issues affecting his hamstrings, knee, ankle, groin, shoulder, hip and calf. Yet, in spite of his physical setbacks, he remained a fan favourite thanks to his commitment, defensive discipline and visible passion for the shirt.

Speaking after his final home appearance against Newcastle United, where he received an ovation from the Emirates crowd during the lap of appreciation, Tierney was characteristically direct in his thanks.

“Just thank you for everything from day one. They supported us through the good times and the bad, and they supported me through some hard times as well,” he said.

“I think that’s what I’m most grateful for, the times where it wasn’t so good or so easy for me is when they probably supported me most, so I’m just very grateful and I feel very lucky to have the support from them.”

Reflecting on his time at the club, he added, “I feel so lucky that I’ve played for this club and the love that the supporters have given me has been amazing. I’ve loved every day here and I’ve learned so much, I’ve improved so much and I just feel very lucky.”

Tierney made his debut against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup in September 2019. In his first season, disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, he played a key role in Arsenal’s FA Cup triumph under Mikel Arteta, who had only recently taken charge. That season also ended with the club finishing eighth in the Premier League.

Since then, Arsenal have undergone a dramatic transformation. Tierney has seen the club finish second for three consecutive seasons and return to the Champions League semi-finals, although he has played only a small role.

“When I first came in, obviously the club is huge, absolutely massive, but in the league table we were probably where we shouldn’t be. I think the growth over the last three or four years has been incredible and I think this club and this group of players and the manager are just going to go on to even better things in the future.

“It’ll be hard but it’s a happy goodbye. I’ve loved it here, loved every minute of it. There are countless memories that are amazing for me; your debut is always special, and winning the FA Cup as well in the first season.”

Tierney’s departure closes a chapter marked as much by frustration as it was by achievement. His raw qualities, forged in Glasgow and tested in north London, earned him both silverware and respect. And as he steps away, he does so having left a lasting impression on a club that has grown considerably since his arrival.