Kieran Tierney was “gutted” to be overlooked for Arsenal’s win over Liverpool last weekend but says “I’m not going to be angry.”
Takehiro Tomiyasu got the nod at left-back over Tierney in the absence of Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has made an impressive start to his Gunners career after his move from Manchester City.
Japan international Tomiyasu kept Reds forward Mohamed Salah quiet in a 3-2 win at the Emirates Stadium that put Mikel Arteta’s side back on top of the Premier League.
Scotland international Tierney has vowed to try and earn his place back rather than feel sorry for himself.
“I’m gutted, that’s all it is,” he told Sky Sports. “I’m not going to be angry, I’m not going to try hard, I’m gutted because I want to play every opportunity I can.
“Especially in the big games, you want to play and soak in the atmosphere. There’s nothing I can say. We went out and won and Tomiyasu played amazing and the game plan worked.
“I’m learning, I’m dealing with it, but it is tough, football is what I want to play. Unfortunately, I’ve not played too many but every time I get a chance to play, I’m so grateful. I work as hard as I possibly can for the team.
“I’ll just try and get my head down, work hard. I can’t change anything other than how I approach training, how I work. So I’m just trying as hard as I possibly trying to work my way back in.”
Arsenal travel to Leeds United on Sunday looking for a seventh consecutive win.