Mikel Arteta confirmed what we all suspected – Kieran Tierney’s season is likely over after the defender picked up a knee injury.

When Arsenal said that Kieran Tierney would be back in four-to-six weeks, most people knew that meant an end to his season, even if the club weren’t saying that. There are only six weeks left, after all.

Speaking to the media after Arsenal’s 3-0 at Sheffield United on Sunday, Mikel Arteta confirmed that the left-back’s season is indeed likely over.

“Today he [Xhaka] had a really strong performance and he gives you another option [at left-back],” Arteta said. “Kieran is out, probably for the season, so we need different options at that position and he can be one of those.”

Tierney had already missed 28 Arsenal games prior to this injury, including six games from January 19, 2021, because of another knee problem.

While at Celtic, Tierney didn’t fair much better, although he didn’t suffer any knee problems.

He missed 55 games across four seasons, meaning the 23-year-old has missed 85 games because of injury problems since the 16/17 season when you factor in the games against Slavia Prague and Sheffield United.

Arsenal also face an anxious wait over Bukayo Saka with the forward being taken off against the Blades with what hopefully is ‘only’ a dead leg.

When asked about the injury after the game, Arteta was naturally short of information.

“He had to come off,” Arteta said. “He had discomfort in his thigh and it’s the last thing that we need because we’re missing some big players at the moment and we don’t want to lose another one. Hopefully, it’s not that serious.”

Martin Odegaard is expected to miss the Europa League second leg game against Slavia Prague this week with his ankle injury while doubts still hang over Emile Smith Rowe.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang should be back, however. The club captain missed Arsenal’s 3-0 win at Bramall lane with ‘illness’.