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Mikel Arteta needs to recall £25m ‘star’ from loan in January, he’d make a huge difference

Amid a difficult week or so for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal, it may now be time to consider a few options ahead of the January transfer window.

As well as looking short up top, Arsenal are also struggling to cope at the back as a result of the long-term injuries to Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images

Jakub Kiwior deputised for the newly injured Oleksandr Zinchenko against Fulham and failed to provide a serious starting claim.

Beyond Zinchenko, Arsenal are simply having to deploy makeshift options on the left, something that will inhibit their title chances.

Tomiyasu’s return against Fulham would be timely were he not about to depart for the Asian Cup, and with that in mind, it’s time that Arteta made a bold decision.

Kieran Tierney was allowed to leave the club on loan this season, and it’s now time that the club explored the option of a recall.

Whether the possibility exists in his deal remains to be seen, but there’s certainly no doubt that the defender would be a huge boost if he returned.

No, he’s not the inverted full-back that Arteta desires on the left, but he can certainly be an asset in a more traditional role.

Arsenal had success with Tierney overlapping in the past, and there’s no reason why they can’t again.

Mikel Arteta needs to recall Kieran Tierney to Arsenal in January

Although Tierney is having a lot of success for Real Sociedad, Arsenal should be selfish.

The ‘star’ defender could surely be convinced to return to North London this month, even if it precluded a permanent exit in the summer.

Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images
Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images

And perhaps when more options are available, Tierney could also be an option as a left-sided centre-back when Arsenal were trying to see out difficult results.

As well as their faltering title-push, Arteta’s side also have a serious opportunity in the Champions League.

Even when Zinchenko is fully fit he has been suspect in some important away fixtures over the last year or so – and there will be plenty to come this season.

It’s certainly one for Mikel Arteta to ponder in January, and there’s no doubt that Tierney’s return would make Arsenal stronger.

The club shouldn’t worry about scuppering any potential deal taking the Scot to Sociedad permanently in the summer either, a defender who would surely still have a ton of suitors.

That being said, it now seems as if Arsenal would be willing to sell a £200k-a-week player in January.