Arsenal manager Unai Emery has denied speaking to Steve Clarke about Kieran Tierney.

Media reports in Scotland suggested the Gunners manager would attempt to have Tierney taken out of the Scotland squad.

The left-back is struggling to get back to full fitness at club level.

But Emery denies the conversation and says he wants the best for Kierney's long term fitness.

He told the club's website: "No, I asked Kieran yesterday because we are waiting first to be with us consistently playing and after his injuries, each step is important to do them with being consistent.

"For example, he didn't play in Manchester because he had some small problem - not important - but the doctor told us that it's better for him to be here, working alone and preparing for the match tomorrow.

"We are with him, taking precaution, it's also important with the national team and we are thinking it is not the moment to work with them. For the next matches, I think he is going to be ready to play with us and to play with them.

"But now he is going to play tomorrow and also hopefully he can be good, completely physically and completely tactically ready with the performances that we need.

"But really, I think that with us he can play but being and taking precaution also for not playing a lot of matches in a few days."