Forgotten Arsenal star reveals ‘sadness’ as he prepares to return to Gunners after loan transfer

ARSENAL defender Kieran Tierney has expressed his “sadness” at the prospect of leaving Real Sociedad this summer.

The Scotland international who joined the Spanish club on loan at the start of the 2023/24 season, has struggled with injuries and inconsistency during his time in Basque Country.

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Kieran Tierney has revealed his ‘sadness’ at the prospect of leaving Real Sociedad this summer[/caption]

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The Arsenal defender went on loan to the La Liga giants at the beginning of the season[/caption]

With Real Sociedad unlikely to make his move permanent and Tierney is not in line to return to the first team at Arsenal his future in North London is at risk.

An exit to another Premier League side or a return to the 26-year-old’s former side Celtic has been mentioned.

But with only a few weeks left in the season, he is disappointed he will have to leave Sociedad.

He told Marca: “I don’t speak as much Spanish as I would like. It’s very difficult to learn and you need to be consistent for three or four days a week.

“But I have learned a different style of football and a different culture.

“I’m living an incredible experience, which I’m enjoying. It’s sad there is so little left with only six or seven weeks until the season ends.”

The La Liga giants are aiming for a spot in the UEFA Europa League as they currently sit sixth in the league.

They sit eight points adrift from fifth place Atheltic Club who are sitting in the qualification spot for the European tournament.

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Meanwhile, Tierney has had an underwhelming term at Imanol Alguacil’s side.

Missing a chunk of games due to a hamstring injury has left the defender with only 18 appearances this season.

Tierney arrived at Arsenal from Celtic in 2019 on a £25million deal – a record amount for both a Scottish national and a player from the Scottish league.