---
title: "Arsenal: Ashley Cole full of praise for Kieran Tierney"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-ashley-cole-full-of-praise-for-kieran-tierney/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Seychell"
section: "Arsenal Football Club"
published: "2020-07-08T18:20:21Z"
modified: "2020-07-08T18:20:21Z"
---

# Arsenal: Ashley Cole full of praise for Kieran Tierney

**Arsenal put in a solid performance yesterday and were unlucky to not win  in their [1-1 draw](https://www.sofascore.com/arsenal-leicester-city/GR) against Leicester City. They had the 1-0 lead, but an Eddie Nketiah red card changed the game and the Gunners conceded.**

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bukayo Saka received praise for their [role](https://www.sofascore.com/arsenal-leicester-city/GR) in the goal, but pundit Ashley Cole, was full of admiration for defender Kieran Tierney.

Speaking on [Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/), via [TheBootRoom,](https://tbrfootball.com/ashley-cole-assesses-arsenal-left-back-kieran-tierney/) the former Gunners and Chelsea left-back said: “I think he’s been solid. I think he came to Arsenal with high expectations. Watching him at Celtic, he was brilliant. He came I think carrying an injury. He didn’t start the season. And now he’s starting to get back to fitness, and for me, being a star of this Arsenal defence whether he plays in a three or whether he plays as an out and out left-back.

“I think he has top qualities. He can play into a striker, join the attacks as well. He’s got a quality pass. He can defend in one vs one situations. He seems like a defender that doesn’t want to be beat. He’s not happy when crosses go in. So I think for Arsenal, he’s a great player, one for the future. But so far, he’s been brilliant for Arsenal.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=”292862”\]

This is great praise to receive from a player who was an icon in the Premier League at left-back, indeed many see him as one of the best defenders to have played in the English top flight, per [The Telegraph.](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/05/12/the-20-best-premier-league-defenders-ever-where-does-john-terry/ashley-cole/)

Since returning from injury, Tierney has become a consistent starter in the Gunners defence and this season he has picked up two assists, but more importantly he has managed 1.4 tackles a game and 1.9 clearances, which is pretty impressive for a full-back, per [WhoScored.](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/297403/Show/Kieran-Tierney)

It’s hard to disagree with Cole on his recent performances and this was highlighted by the fact that he picked up the [Man of the Match](https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/kieran-tierneys-london-admission-after-22318723#:~:text=Tierney%20impressed%20on%20Tuesday%20night,who%20showed%20the%20game%20live.) award against Leicester.

The former Celtic full-back made one interception and one tackle, whilst also making two clearances and winning five ground duels, per [SofaScore.](https://www.sofascore.com/arsenal-leicester-city/GR)Hopefully he can continue to impress and make that left-back position his own at the Gunners for many seasons to come.

***Arsenal fans, do you agree with Cole’s comments? Let us know down below!***