Arsenal 26yo returns from injury & secures loan team European football | OneFootball

Kieran Tierney made his first start since his latest injury in midweek, helping Real Sociedad to secure European football for next season.

BILBAO, SPAIN: Kieran Tierney of Real Sociedad is challenged by Nico Williams of Athletic Club during the LaLiga EA Sports match at Estadio de San Mames on January 13, 2024. (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images)

Kieran Tierney recently returned from an adductor injury, making a 20-minute appearance away to Barcelona on Monday.

The on-loan Arsenal left-back then made his first start back against Valencia on Thursday, and he helped Real Sociedad to guarantee European football in a 1-0 win.

Playing 83 minutes of the match, Tierney was in good form, winning all of his four individual duels, completing his only attempted dribble and 80% of his passes, and making one tackle and one block.

The defender helped his team to a clean sheet, and with two games to go, they’re now mathematically assured a finish of seventh place or above.

Real Sociedad’s Kieran Tierney fights for the ball with Athletic Bilbao’s Ander Herrera during the Spanish Liga football match between Real Sociedad and Athletic Club Bilbao at the Anoeta stadium in San Sebastian on September 30, 2023. (Photo by CESAR MANSO/AFP via Getty Images)

Eighth-place Villarreal sit six points behind Real Sociedad with two games to go, but La Liga determines positions based on head-to-head record, and Real Sociedad have the head-to-head advantage over Villarreal.

There’s still a lot to play for, however, with Real Sociedad sitting just one point above Real Betis. Sixth place would mean Europa League qualification, but dropping below Betis into seventh would only qualify them for the Europa Conference League.

What’s more, Real Sociedad face Real Betis away from home on Sunday, at 18:00 BST. A win would secure Europa League football, but a draw or defeat sends the fight to the final day.

Real Sociedad’s Kieran Tierney reacts during the Spanish league football match between CA Osasuna and Real Sociedad at El Sadar stadium in Pamplona on December 2, 2023. (Photo by ANDER GILLENEA/AFP via Getty Images)

Speaking to the media last week, Tierney insisted he’s not bitter about the decision for Oleksandr Zinchenko to replace him at Arsenal, and he thought it could be enough to win the Gunners the league this season.

“There are no hard feelings or spite from me,” Tierney said. “I understand the decision of the manager to change me from No 1 to No 2. It’s football.

“It never happened in a personal way. It was tactical. He thought it was best to get Arsenal results — and he was 100 per cent correct, when you look at it.

“They were close to winning the league last year, and this year I think they’ll do it.”

VALENCIA, SPAIN: Kieran Tierney of Real Sociedad reacts during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Valencia CF and Real Sociedad at Estadio Mestalla on September 27, 2023. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Since winning the Community Shield with Arsenal in August, Tierney has played 24 times for Real Sociedad. He’s generally been a starter when fit, but he’s had a few injury problems holding him back.

First there was a hamstring injury in September, keeping him out until late November. Then there was another hamstring setback in January, ruling him out for another month.

After his latest return from an adductor issue, Tierney is now looking to end the campaign strongly to set himself up well for the European Championships this summer.