Reports suggest that Oleksander Zinchenko could potentially leave during this transfer window. His poor 2023–24 season exposed his defensive flaws, and most Arsenal fans were not opposed to him leaving. Bayern Munich were reportedly his primary suitors, but they are reportedly no longer interested in the transfer.
No other team has expressed interest in the ex-Manchester City star. Now we are into the summer transfer season, the Ukrainian international is more likely to stay than leave.
If he ends up staying, his performance against Slovakia should give Arsenal fans hope that he can still play an important part for the club. Ukraine defeated Slovakia 2-1 in a match in which our Gunner Zinchenko impressed; he assisted the equaliser that staged his team’s comeback victory, and he helped Ukraine get three points, putting them in an excellent position to go to the knockout stage.
Oleksandr Zinchenko stats vs. Slovakia:
71 touches
1 assist
44/54 accurate passes
5/5 ground duels won
5/6 aerial duels won
4 clearances
4 tackles
0 times dribbled past
Anyone who watched Ukraine’s game against Slovakia saw that Zinchenko can play left back. Critics chastised the 26-year-old for assuming the inverted fullback role, creating ample space for opponents to exploit at left back, and failing to win some of his duels.
However, playing as a traditional left back against Slovakia, he showed his ability to tackle and win duels. Next season, he needs to play more of a traditional full back, if not in midfield. We rarely see him overlap and cut back, as he did against Slovakia. If he does that, he may have a chance to reclaim a spot in Arteta’s starting lineup.
Peter Rix
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Not for me as Timber will start with Tomiyasu as main back up.
Timber was bought for RB.
And even when we were missing our LB, when he made a show last game, he came on as RB. He is a RB and RCB. Not left. Tomi, isnt left either. He is a RB and RCB. Suares played LB when covering injuries but he is a RB. Were are people getting this Timber is a LB from?
Not for me, 1 game doesn’t supplant a couple years of defensive weakness and liability. Time to move on and wish Zinchenko the best elsewhere.
He has not evolved into a defending LB any more than Jesus has evolved into a scoring striker.
Hopefully Arteta has realized what Pep did; Jesus as striker and Zinchenko at LB are not reliable solutions.
No.
What about the first game against romania where he was awful and they lost 3-0
Sell him while they still can. The team has outgrown him. Replace him with Ferdi Kadioglu who could be a massive upgrade of him for lb.
We need to realise what we have in my opinion.
Fabulous on the ball.
Gets blasted unfairly for defensive deficiencies