Arsenal Rumors: Mikel Arteta Tells Defender He Can Leave Before Transfer Deadline, Report Says

With the rise of Kieran Tierney, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has informed one of his current defenders, Sead Kolasinac, that he could find a new club if he wants to before the transfer window closes, according to a report.

The Gunners boss has high hopes for Tierney, with Arteta now keen on securing his future at Emirates Stadium. Teamtalk reported that the 23-year-old's fine form "played a key role" in Arteta’s decision to inform Kolasinac that he could leave the squad before the Oct. 5 deadline. International Business Times could not independently verify the outlet’s information.

Prior to Arsenal's Premier League clash with West Ham on Saturday, Sept. 19, Arteta was asked about the rumors linking Kolasinac to a move to Germany due to "family reasons." While he did not directly address the rumors, Arteta said that he won't stand in the way of a player who really wants out.

"I think in every case you have to try to take it individually. First of all, try to understand the reason - if that's the case - when they want to leave and why," he said during the pre-match press conference. "If there are things that you can help them to change, to give them more, you have to try to maximize those options and when it comes to a point where it's obviously something that you cannot control and cannot help and it's evident and clear, then you open the door."

Despite rumors linking Kolasinac to West Ham, Bayer Leverkusen, Schalke and Serie A side Roma, Arteta said he does not see the 27-year-old left-back joining another club this window.

"At the moment, I'm not expecting anyone to leave very shortly. That's where I am," he told reporters.

As for Tierney, the Scotland international managed to bounce back last season after recovering from a shoulder injury but missed Saturday's match against West Ham. However, Arteta has assured that the sensational defender did not experience a major setback.

"Kieran is fine," Arteta said during a post-match press conference via Arsenal.com. "He had a little muscular discomfort in the last few days. He tried today and worked in the warm-up but he wasn’t feeling comfortable today."

"We believed that he was going to be fit but during the warm-up, in the last 10 minutes, he said he wasn’t feeling OK," he added.

Tierney was previously linked to a move to Leicester City. His former Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers was said to have eyed Tierney as a replacement for Ben Chilwell even before his transfer to Chelsea.

However, the 23-year-old played down the speculations of a move away from Arsenal in June, revealing in an interview that he enjoys playing under Arteta.

"I feel as if I’m learning every single day. I’m adapting to his game plan and buying into it so much," he told Premier League Productions. "It’s so enjoyable to train and play. Hopefully we can improve results now, it’s not going to happen overnight but we’re working towards something big."