Kieran Tierney made a triumphant return to Arsenal’s starting XI on Wednesday night in the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Crystal Palace.
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The 27-year-old Scot, who spent last season on loan at Real Sociedad, showcased his attacking prowess, often operating like a left-winger.
Despite his strong performance, Tierney left fans anxious when he went down after 69 minutes and was replaced by Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Mikel Arteta, however, quickly reassured supporters in his post-match press conference, stating that Tierney’s exit was due to cramp rather than an injury.
“It’s just cramp,” Arteta confirmed. He praised the full-back’s contributions, explaining how tailoring strategies to players’ strengths had brought out the best in Tierney.
“Players give you a lot of information, not just with words but by how they perform. There’s definitely a better fit for him now,” Arteta said.
The match itself was a rollercoaster. Crystal Palace took an early lead through Jean-Philippe Mateta, but Gabriel Jesus turned the game around with a stunning hat-trick, securing Arsenal’s 3-2 victory.
A late strike by Eddie Nketiah for Palace wasn’t enough to derail the Gunners, who now advance to Thursday’s semi-final draw.
Jesus’s hat-trick marked his first goals since October, and Arteta was delighted with his return to form.
“He brings something special—his creativity and innovation in tough situations are unique. Gabi at this level is a huge asset for us,” said the Arsenal boss.
Arteta also reflected on the team’s overall performance, commending their resilience. “The game started poorly with a simple goal for Palace, but the team showed great character and desire to fight back.
Adjustments in the second half gave us control, and we created more chances,” he noted.
The result not only secures Arsenal’s place in the Carabao Cup semi-finals but also offers promising signs for players like Tierney and Jesus as they regain their rhythm.
