‘For sure’ - Newcastle United, Aston Villa & Celtic transfer ruled out after injury blow

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has revealed he is not planning to sell reported Newcastle United and Aston Villa target Kieran Tierney over the remainder of the summer transfer window.

The Scotland international has been heavily linked with a move to St James Park in recent months as Eddie Howe looks to strengthen his options on the left-hand side of a defence that leaked just 33 goals in 38 Premier League games last season.

There have been reports the Magpies were preparing an offer for Tierney but they would face competition from their Premier League rivals and the defender’s former club Celtic. However, United have now turned their attention towards what appears to be a successful push to sign Chelsea youngster Lewis Hall on a season-long loan deal that will become a permanent move next summer.

The possibility of Tierney leaving Arsenal this month seemed to have been significantly reduced when summer signing Jurrien Timber suffered a serious injury in his side’s opening day win against Nottingham Forest. Gunners manager Arteta described the blow as ‘an opportunity for everybody’ in his squad and he revealed he is not expecting to part ways with Tierney over the next fortnight.

“There are not any plans in doing anything like that,” the Spaniard told Football London when asked if the defender would be allowed to leave.

“It’s (Timber’s injury) an opportunity for everybody. We’re going to need everybody, and everybody is going to be important. The numbers that we have in the squad, especially in those positions (left-back), are more limited now. He played in the final (Community Shield). So a player that plays in the final is part of the plans for sure.”