Oleksandr Zinchenko has reflected on the emotional challenge of losing his place in the Arsenal starting line-up under Mikel Arteta last season. The Ukrainian arrived at the Emirates as a major signing and swiftly displaced Kieran Tierney to become the club’s first-choice left back. For a period, he was one of the most influential players in his position and played a key role in the Gunners’ progress.
However, his situation changed dramatically following the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori last summer. The Italian’s performances quickly earned him a place ahead of Zinchenko in the pecking order. At the same time, Myles Lewis-Skelly emerged from the youth ranks to challenge for the role, eventually breaking into the first team and further reducing Zinchenko’s opportunities.
From key player to fringe role
As a result, Zinchenko found himself as the third-choice left back, a significant drop from his previous status. His appearances became limited to a small number of matches, many of which were less significant fixtures, while Calafiori and Lewis-Skelly occupied the primary left back spots. Despite this, Zinchenko maintained his professionalism, working to remain fit and ready for selection whenever called upon.
The defender admitted that the experience was particularly difficult to accept on a personal level, especially when his young daughters noticed his reduced role. His children’s awareness of his time on the bench brought a level of embarrassment that he did not anticipate.
Family’s reaction highlighted the challenge
Speaking to The Sun, Zinchenko explained, “Eva, the older one at three and a half, says to Leia, ‘Look, there’s Daddy!’.
“Leia looks all over the pitch but can’t find me. And then Eva points and says, ‘No, he’s not playing. He’s on the bench’.
“Hearing that pained me a lot. It made me feel ashamed. I’m quite grateful that the girls are not yet at an age where they’re exposed to social media and do not have to read nasty stuff about their dad who cannot get into the Arsenal team anymore.”
Zinchenko’s comments underline the emotional strain that can accompany reduced playing time for a professional athlete. With competition for his position fierce, it remains to be seen whether he will stay at the Emirates or seek a new challenge during the current transfer window.
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He can step up his defense and physicality can’t he?
Look at Kai during his injury and how he improved physically. That run he made against Bilbao; wow his burst of speed, that added muscle to fight off opponents and keep his shot on target.
Not possible without his focus on improving.
Zinchenko could have hit the weights, improved his defending, put in some extra like Havertz did.
He hasn’t stepped up that’s why he’s fallen behind. Sadly, the fall is faster and noticeable in a bigger club with more competition.
Good guy and teammate, but can’t afford passengers anymore.
I was going to put a comment but this sums it up better than I ever could, spot on Durand 👍 Wish him all the best and happy for him to move on. Still wish we’d tried swapping him and £20m for Hato three weeks ago, would’ve been best for all involved.
Yeah I really like Hato, and thought he would fit in well with his profile.
Zinchenko, I appreciate his contributions, but he simply isn’t up to scratch anymore.
Too suspect defensively, and not at level of other midfielders to play in midfield.
Makes it worse because Nwanarei and Dowman need those midfield minutes
Sadly that’s exactly it, his style and inability to change are really holding him back, and probably why City were keen to cash in. A good leader but not tough enough, a defender that can’t tackle and a midfielder that can’t decide games at this level. He either has to accept being a squad player at a biggish club and training harder, or what would suit him, dropping a level and being the talisman in a less combative league.
And very true, far rather see our promising youth given those minutes.
👍 Durand. There aren’t very many fathers or anyone else who can get into or stay in the Arsenal first team.
Yeah I feel for the father part, but not for the player part of Zinchenko.
Hope his daughter doesn’t see Kai’s physique, and ask Zinchenko why he didn’t do like Havertz.
Look professional sports is a tough business for players, if you don’t improve you fall behind.
Bruised Banana,
Unless your name is Odegaard of course. 😂
I hope he’s not the only father but as we see with Zinny’s comment, it can have an effect on a player just like so many other things. The question of course is whether those effects can be overcome well enough by the player.