Is Kieran Tierney the next Ashley Cole?

Is Kieran Tierney the next Ashley Cole?

By Adam Le Roux

In a season where Arsenal have been calling out for that little something different, that little bit extra that gives them the edge, Kieran Tierney is so often the man to stand up and be counted.

Following on from an injury-hampered first season at the Emirates, the Scot has gone from strength to strength as he beds into his role on the left side of defence, and has been one of the few players to emerge from this campaign with any shred of credibility so far.

The 23-year-old’s defensive solidity, vision, and clarity of thought puts him head and shoulders above left backs that have donned the red and white shirt in previous years, and paired with Bukayo Saka, the left flank is looking increasingly dangerous.

He may still be early into his Arsenal career, but the former Celtic man already has shades of a former marauding fullback who used to bomb up and down the Highbury turf, although you wouldn’t want to whisper his name too loudly these days.

Cole revolutionised Gunners rearguard

Ashley Cole was revered around the streets of Islington in his days as a Gooner; even from a young age it was clear to see that he was a player of outstanding quality, and one that would transform the Arsenal backline.

We had become used to seeing the defensive unit as a staunch, stingy back four, with Adams and Bould and Dixon and Winterburn all contributing to the Gunners becoming known as one of the sturdiest sides around.

But for all of Nigel Winterburn’s attributes – as he snarled into challenges and kept the opposition attackers on their toes – he didn’t quite have the grace and poise that the young lad from Stepney had.

As soon as Cole came into the team you could see the injection of quality that he gave to the side, with defenders no longer just needed to defend, they could provide a threat at the other end of the field as well, as the England international did game after game.

The pace, the precision, the win-at-all-costs attitude, he had it all, and he was the jewel in Arsenal’s crown as they went on to win Premier League titles in 01/02 and 03/04.

The second of those titles was the unforgettable Invincibles campaign, in which Cole played a pivotal part in the unbeaten season, with his pin-point crosses and ammunition for Thierry Henry and the Gunners’ strike force allowing the side to blossom.

And that is the exact quality that sets a good fullback apart from a world class one; that ability to scuttle up and down the wings to bolster the side in both defence and attack, which Cole had in abundance, and what we are starting to see more and more from his Scottish successor on the left side of defence.

Kieran can take Arsenal back to top tier

There are very few fullbacks that you get excited by when they get the ball, but Kieran Tierney is one of them.

As soon as the Scottish international cushions the ball nonchalantly with his left peg, you half-expect something to happen; whether that be a surging run down the flank, or some neat interplay with his partner in crime Saka, or a venomous cross whipped in for the strikers.

And every game he plays, he just seems to get better and better, with the most exciting thing being that he is only 23 years of age, and seemingly has his best years ahead of him.

Ever since Christmas, Tierney seems to have turned it up a notch further, with his blitzing run against Chelsea winning the Gunners a penalty to score the first goal of the game on Boxing Day, before he cut in on his right foot to produce a goal of sheer quality against West Brom, curling into the corner on his weaker side.

There is definitely something ‘Cole-like’ about the way he gets up and down the pitch, with his contagious energy lifting the whole side when he spearheads another attack.

And it isn’t just his attacking quality that we are talking about here, the Isle of Man-born star is as solid as you like at the back as well, as he rarely gets caught out of possession, despite Arsenal’s defensive woes so far this season.

And his quality for the Gunners has caught the eye of his predecessor, with Cole keen to sing the praises of the man to fill his boots on the left side of defence.

“One thing Arsenal were probably lacking in the past year was a left back, who was solid, didn’t get beat in one versus one situations,” the three-time Premier League winner said.

“I also think the way he attacks and the timing of his attacking runs brings a different element to Arsenal, a different way to attack and he’s got a brilliant delivery on him.”

And from a former England international who won everything there is to win at club level, that is high praise indeed.

Tierney still has three and a half years left on his contract after making the move from Celtic in the summer of 2019, and by the time that comes to an end, it would be no surprise to see him leading the team out wearing the captain’s armband.

So often leading by example on the pitch, with his short-sleeves an ever present even in the harsh winter months, he looks set to progress into becoming the leader Arsenal need, and one that will set the highest standards of his teammates.

But if there is one thing that Arsenal fans would want him to do differently from Ashley Cole, it is the sheer fact that he doesn’t get his head turned when clubs come calling, because if he continues to play the way he has been, he is sure to be a wanted man.

Photo Credit: Getty Images