‘You have to’ - Ray Parlour tells Arsenal to ‘balance the books’ by selling £25m star

Arsenal legend Ray Parlour has told Kieran Tierney to move on from north London this summer.

Tierney has been with the Gunners since 2019, but injuries and other factors have prevented him from displaying his best form. Most recently, the signing of OleksandrZinchenko has seen him struggle for game time, with Mikel Arteta preferring the Ukrainian after splashing out £50million to secure his arrival.

The signing left the Scot playing a secondary role, and it’s likely he will depart to secure more regular game time this summer, especially given he is undoubtedly the calibre of player who can start week-in, week-out in the Premier League.

The likes of Newcastle United and Aston Villa have been linked, and speaking to JBI Training, former Arsenal star Parlour backed Tierney to move on.

“Kieran’s Arsenal career has been a bit frustrating for him. I really like the lad, I’ve spoken to him on many occasions, and he has really tried to do his best whenever he’s been in the team,” Parlour said. “He’s had some injury problems as well, which hasn’t helped him. The way that Mikel Arteta sets up his team, with Zinchenko moving into the midfield, he seems to a better fit for the manager. You can’t ask Tierney to perform that Zinchenko role - he is an out-and-out left-sided player that loves to get forward and hug the touchline. Sometimes certain players don’t click in certain teams.”

Parlour added: “If Tierney were to join Newcastle, I think he would be a great signing for them. Arsenal will need to balance the books this summer. If a player isn’t happy with his situation at the club or feels he should be starting more games, then sometimes you need to move them on.

“I think if you wanted to use a word to sum up Kieran’s time at the club it would be frustrating. He’s suffered some nasty injuries that have stopped him from holding down a starting place in the team. He is a top player and a top guy. Whichever club he joins if he does leave will be getting a brilliant player.”