Arsenal handed Kieran Tierney injury boost as January transfer decision to be made

Kieran Tierney has been spotted in Arsenal training ahead of the Premier League's return this weekend - with one eye on the January transfer window.

Mikel Arteta was hoping to receive some good news on the injury front this international break, and it has arrived. In the images filtering through from the Gunners' Wednesday training session, Tierney has been seen taking part in regular team training drills.

It was during Euro 2024 with Scotland he picked up his latest hamstring injury - said to be a serious one at that - but now five months on the defender could be eyeing up a return to action by the time Nottingham Forest visit the Emirates Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

This is certainly an unexpected boost as - in the midst of his absence - football.londonlast reported the timescale of his return to be unknown. The manager has been especially cunning on this front, as Oleksadr Zinchenko recently let on.

Arteta will also want to be mindful of easing Tierney back towards match fitness rather than risk aggravating the problem, though at the same time is fighting to keep Arsenal in the title race as they trail Premier League leaders Liverpool by nine points and Manchester City by five points.

Looking further into the future, Tierney's return may also see one transfer plan be activated.

The 27-year-old's last game for the club was in August 2023 and, not only has that been down to fitness, but also exile. He spent last season shipped out on loan to Real Sociedad as Arteta saw no place for him in the squad.

As he was injured this summer, there was zero chance of a permanent transfer happening then, but with January soon to roll around again, it may finally be time for Tierney and Arsenal to part ways. Most recently, it's Newcastle United, a number of Spanish sides and former club Celtic who have been linked with interest.