Arsenal hero Martin Keown is adamant Kieran Tierney will be a pillar for the team over the coming years.

Keown is backing the left-back to become a 'match-winner' for the Gunners moving forward and believes the former Celtic defender will be a guaranteed starter regardless of the club's summer transfer activity.

“He's very important because he stands up in the big games. He has been really important to Arsenal. He is a tough player who sets the standards – and that's what you want. You want winners, and it was really important to Scotland that he came in last night. He was getting forward quite a lot, he also intercepted really well and drove through the middle with the ball, creating a problem for England," Keown told the Mirror.

“He's a player that Arsenal will be looking to keep and will hope he can stay injury-free. He missed the first game at Euro 2020, so staying fit has been an issue for him.

“He was signed by Unai Emery, and he was probably his best signing."

Asked if Tierney will be one of the first names on the teamsheet for Arsenal next season, Keown added: “For sure. He is the shoe-in in that Arsenal back-four.

“Then you start looking at the rest: Bellerin hasn't signed a contract, who are the two centre-halves? If you're going to start a team build, you know that the left-back berth is fine. You have someone there that you can rely on. He can be a match-winner. Of course, you've got Aubameyang and Lacazette is a player that I think is a really good influence on the youngsters.

“It's very much about the team building for Arsenal. In every compartment of the pitch, they need to spend money to bring new players in."