The full-back is now fully settled in London and a key part of the FA Cup winning boss’ plans.
Kieran Tierney has admitted there were times during his prolonged injury absence he worried about rumours swirling around his Arsenal future.
The Scotland left-back has been a mainstay since overcoming his injury woes and has been one of the best defenders in the Premier League during the post-lockdown part of the season.
Playing on the left of a back three, the former Celtic star is adapting to a different position but the fluidity of the system suits the 23-year-old.
And he admits that boss Mikel Arteta has opened up his mind to a « new dimension » of football as he settles fully at the North London giants.
He told BT Sport : « The way the manager trains, how he speaks to you and how the coaches speak to you they give you that confidence.
« I am enjoying it and he has opened my eyes to a new way of football.
« He has also opened my eyes to a new way of learning, so he’s brilliant to learn from.
« Of course I was nervous when he came in because there are always rumours floating about when you are injured.
« It’s not nice, it’s not what you want because in the manager’s first session you want to be able to impress him.
« Unfortunately I had another six weeks before I could get the chance to impress him and by that time he might have selected his squad and who he liked and didn’t like.
« Even when I was injured he still spoke to me and gave me confidence, so I have a lot to thank him for.
« The roles I am playing suit me, they are different but they play to my strengths.
« The system we play isn’t your standard one, people shift and positions move so it’s a new dimension of football. I’m working hard every day, I am putting my all into football and wherever that takes me I have no idea, no clue.
« All I can do is give 100 per cent every day and do as well as I can in football.
« It was an up-and-down season for me last year, obviously signing here was brilliant but I was still coming through an injury at the time.
« Coming back from that is always hard, but I came back and got ten or 12 games where I wasn’t at my best, I know that.
« The most enjoyable time for me was in those last few months. It has been really good. »
The Gunners lifted the FA Cup last term with a brilliant win over Chelsea and Tierney is convinced there is more room for progress this term.
He said: « We are looking forward to this season a lot. Everyone could see the progress we made towards the end of last season.
« Some of the results we got were brilliant and winning the Cup and Community Shield was great it gives us confidence.
« We got success at the end of last season and it’s something we want to build on this year.
« We have made some new signings, it will take people time to gel but we are only getting stronger. »
SOURCE: https://www.w24news.com/news/kieran-tierney-opens-up-on-worrying-arsenal-rumours/?remotepost=268189
