The Ukrainian international Oleks Zinchenko has found himself in a pretty unwanted situation with the Gunners this season. Along with the constant struggle with injuries, he has also seen himself fall down the pecking order due to the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori in the summer as well as the return of Jurrien Timber this season.
It’s pretty obvious that Arteta has lost faith in the man that brought a lot to our squad when he made the move to join us in 2022. No one will blame Arteta for losing faith. After his first season with us, Zinchenko has brought a sense of vulnerability to our backline due to his weakness in defending 1v1 situations. Couple that with the competition that the aforementioned duo of Calafiori and Timber brought to the squad, then you can easily see why he has made just three Premier League appearances this season.
This shouldn’t be the case IMO for a player of this quality, he does have vulnerabilities but certainly there’s enough in his locker still to offer that we can afford him starting against low caliber oppositions. Apart from Riccardo Calafiori, no other choice at left-back can do better than Zinchenko in the attacking phase of play.
As we all can recall, his ability to invert into the midfield when he first arrived at Arsenal formed the foundations to our very fluid attack in that campaign. I concede that there’s no use for him starting against high caliber oppositions now but you can’t tell me that a player like Zinchenko won’t fit playing against inferior opponents who are just happy to sit in a low block, his skills will definitely be needed in those sort of games which is why I think Arteta should be giving him more playing time.
We’ve certainly outgrown him, but when a player like Calafiori gets injured then Oleks should certainly be a consideration for replacing him which hasn’t been the case this season. I suspect that will still be the case heading into the Forest game due to reports stating the likely return of Calafiori for that game.
Thoughts on this gooners?
BENJAMIN KENNETH.
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I always thought he could be an option in midfield, but I think with his injury issues last season, drop in form- I think there maybe more to it as in he can’t be relied upon to stay fit.
Esr , Nelson both at times last season were fit but after periods of being injured unable to call and rely upon, I think arteta saw it as these players can only handle one game a week and therefore not reliable enough. Seeing smithrowe playing well at fulham, is great to see, but had he stayed along with his past and in the period of not having odegaard – would he have been able to manage
that game load ? )Also nwaneri integration into the first team was a reason to sell) I believe zinchenko has a similar issue. Its the same with jesus – arteta stated before the season started jesus was in the best shape he had seen him, a week before the first game he is injured. Partey has told Ghana no to call ups, he always got injured at international duty or sent home on the verge of breaking down. Perhaps he has seen he can’t do it anymore or it could also be , wanting a new contract – showing he is fit.
The next movement of players will be kiwior,zinchenko and partey ( he is on 49 caps why wouldn’t he want his 50th for his nation but after he first secures a new contract)
It’s strange because there has been plenty of opportunities for Arteta to have used him midfield, yet has always refused to do so.
Zinny’s third season now, so it’s not going to happen now. Really don’t understand it especially considering his frailties as a defender.
I thought it was a consensus that ZInch is OK to use against weaker teams when we are expected to dominate. However, it’s the counter from weaker teams that can catch you cold, and that’s when ZInch is often caught out. It would be silly not to keep him in the frame because we never know when we will need him, but I don’t see him really competing for a spot beyond domestic cups when we have a fully fit squad. I expect him to move on in the summer if there are takers.
The problem is many weaker teams have a player they can use to target zinchenko and make the game tough – and I don’t think the attacking threat he gives us is anywhere near as great as us often made out. Sometimes it’s great but often it’s nothing special – again, unreliable. If we’ve got so many injuries we’re down to zinchenko and kiwior, it’s a toss up for me, which is terrible to say because kiwior looks like a reluctant lb who really wants to be in the centre, whereas zinchenko has played there during his best years. Zinchenko is just not a reliable option for us now, unfortunately.
Keeping fresh vs getting injured? He may be a candidate to sell in the summer if there are any takers so gametime between now and then would be helpful in that – as long as he can stay fit.
If Arteta doesn’t trust young AM like Nwaneri to deputize Odegaard, he should’ve assigned Zinchenko for the task
,@Gai well said. I have said it countless times on this plartform that Zichenko been a left footed midfielder should be tried in Odegard’s position when injured or at least in midfield. He still played for his country in middild this week.
If he isn’t fresh or losing form it’s on Arteta..
The coach is stubborn in certains ways which isn’t helping some of his players. Why try Trossard in midfield and not Zichenko? Zichenko may have to start considering his future at Emirate next season.
The only way Zinchenko should get in the side is if he plays in midfield, at left back he’s a complete liability.
I remember real Madrid used to play marcello as a left back due to his ability to create space and breaks lines although he had his own weakness defensively.He played more than 10 years because when he advanced the space behind him handled by one of left centre back,defensive midfielder or the left wing due to the trend of play.
Marcello was ridiculously talented, though. He was closer to ronaldinho than the vast majority of attacking midfielders you see, so you get a lot in return for that defensive weakness – zinchenko is not even close that level. And when it comes to purely defending, I’d still rather have Marcelo.
Zinc no good enough defensively to play left back, and just not good enough to play midfield – squad member at best, sell in the summer
Give all fringe players a chance to impress and that is the best way to increase the market value of a player. Leaving a player on the bench consistently will always dwindle their market value.
Bme,
Play these ordinary squad player’s, which could harm the teams chances of winning.
But it would increase there market value, it’s possible it might, but at what cost to the team.
Play them when the team is winning at least. I just feel Arteta is a bit static with his formation. He needs to be more flexible.
Bme,
If the team was winning as you say, then these squad players would be on the bench.
It’s up to Zinchenko to earn his opportunities; otherwise stay on the bench or get sold.
Neither Zinchenko, Jesus, or even Sterling has shown enough to be gifted starts or opportunities.
This is part of the ruthlessness of title contenders. If you can’t perform at that level, then perhaps it’s time to move on.
Rather see MLS get opportunities; better for the club’s future.
There’s only one place that Zinchenko should be played, and that is left back.
Left back in the dressing room where he belongs.😂🤣
Zinchenko and Jesus were simply a gimmick, just for the purpose of transitioning from mediocrity to a sort of a restored Arsenal identity if not City 2.0. But since we unfortunately become stakeholders in the title contention, we need serious people, not clowns, that goes for Sterling as well. If Xhaka, Ramsadale, Eddie, Balogun, ESR and Lokonga were allowed to go if not shown the exit door , Why on earth will you keep Zinny ?
Really, they are a gimmick and clowns? They were good enough to get 2nd place in the PL and get us back int he CL. The present team hasn’t done any better than 2nd. They went on an incredible fortunate run last season as had no major disruptions or injuries but now we are seeing how good they really are. Loss of form and development of many players could be probably put down to Arteta’s style of management. Just ask the question why did Xhaka want to leave having had the best season. He was proved right by winning the Bundesliga and Arsenal now are further way from winning the EPL behind City, a resurgent Liverpool and now Chelsea beginning to show (although probably next season) . Arteta was the answer 3 years ago but a big questions remains on whether he can go the next step.
Your guess is as good as mine regarding Zinchenko, Dino.
Guys without him, our game flow has been affected. It’s not all about nutty defenders. I enjoy the possession and flow when he pays. With three good defenders, he slides in midfield and creates opportunities.