As Arsenal prepares to face Everton on the road in a test of their title defense, Mikel Arteta has been informed of additional ways Oleksandr Zinchenko can support his team.
Kevin Campbell, a former Arsenal forward, thinks Mikel Arteta should start using Oleksandr Zinchenko in midfield more frequently.
The only match the Three Lions have lost so far in their Euro 2024 qualification campaign was last week’s 1-1 draw with England at the Stadion Miejski Wroclaw in Poland.
The goal was scored by the international for Ukraine.
After Dutch superstar Jurrien Timber joined the team in the summer transfer window, many believed the 26-year-old’s role might be reduced this season.
However, after Timber’s injury after just 47 minutes of the team’s season-opening game against Nottingham Forest, Zinchenko has since been called back into action.
After Takehiro Tomiyasu was sent off against Crystal Palace a few weeks ago, he initially missed time with a muscular injury but has since returned and filled in.
Zinchenko put in a strong performance for 76 minutes against Manchester United, which helped his team win 3-1 and maintain their unbeaten start to the season.
And now, he is starting to receive praise, with ex-Gunner Campbell praising his versatility, which could help Arteta fill in the gaps as Arsenal tries to contend for the Premier League title.
He told the Gooners Pod that having Thomas Partey fill in for Alexander Zinchenko when he wasn’t available was a great help to the team.
“People say it didn’t work, but it did work because we won two of those games and drew the other, where we had no business only getting a point against Fulham.
I can understand that, but as soon as Zinchenko returns, he goes back to being Zinchenko, Gabriel [Magalhaes], [William] Saliba, and Ben White.
“I think you could mix and match a little bit more against teams that don’t pose the same threat.
You could see, however, that Zinchenko truly does make a significant difference in our lives.
“And he doesn’t play as a left-back, does he?
He plays in midfield, which means that he is once again a vital component of what we do and how we do it.
Although he is not as good defensively as Kieran Tierney or even [Takehiro] Tomiyasu, what he does bring to the table is crucial for us moving forward.
“Quietly, I thought his performance against Manchester United was excellent.”.
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