Cedric Soares and the Arsenal transfer state of play that leads to Kieran Tierney dilemma

The Gunners have dipped into the transfer market as Mikael Arteta looks for defensive reinforcements.

When Kieran Tierney signed for Arsenal it seemed a foregone conclusion he would walk straight into the starting XI.

After all, the Premier League side spent almost a whole summer orchestrating a deal for the left-back and shelled out £25million on the Celtic star.

The Gunners were obviously aware of the fact he was recovering from a hernia and a groin injury, but at the age of 22, it appeared a worthwhile investment.

And it still could be.

But Tierney has had absolutely no luck in his debut season as he suffered another shoulder injury and was forced into having surgery.

Despite showing flashes, he has not been able to get a sustained run in the team.

And with the Parkhead academy graduate out for around two months, Arsenal have been forced to dip into the transfer market this month to deal with his absence.

The London-based club managed to acquire Brazilian defender Pablo Mari from Flamengo on loan until the end of the season, with an option to buy in the summer.

Mari's preferred position is centre-half and will be utilised there to deal with the injury to Shkodran Mustafi. 

But new boss Mikael Arteta made it clear he wanted a left-sided centre-half meaning he could be deployed as a back-up with Tierney and Sead Kolasinac's fitness concerns, although the Bosnian is expected to leave in the summer.

And Arsenal aren't planning to stop there as brought in another defensive reinforcement before the window shuts.

Southampton full-back Cedric Soares completed his loan move to the Emirates with his contract up in the summer at St Mary's.

The Portuguese is used to playing right-back but, like Mari, can be used on the opposite flank.

Bukayo Saka's performance in their 2-1 win against Bournemouth in the FA Cup will also give Arteta some food for thought moving forward.

The 18-year-old has been used further up the pitch in the early stages of his Gunners career, but his display at left-back against the Cherries would indicate he can excel from a deeper role.

So where does that leave Tierney?

Well it's not looking as rosy as it was for him when he arrived at the Emirates.

There's do denying he is the number one option at left-back when he's fit, but by the time he's ready to play again, he will certainly have some stiff competition for his place.

Tierney was Unai Emery's signing so there's no guarantee that Arteta will just hand him his place back just like that.

The Scotland star will have to show the quality that he produced on a consistent basis at Celtic and what helped him get a move to Arsenal in the first place.