Don’t you think a game like the one against Brighton needed Oleksander Zinchenko at left-back inverting to midfield from the onset?
Timber has been fantastic; he has brought some defensive stability to our left side. Despite his defensive prowess, Arsenal struggles with ball progression when he plays. Yes, the ex-Ajax star locked down Yakuba Minteh, just as he did with Leon Bailey the other weekend. And, while there is some concern that Zinchenko would struggle with those skilled wingers, he would have come through for the team in buildup play.
It was right not to deploy Zinchenko against Villa; in that game, the Arsenal technical bench could not have made a defensive gamble.
However, a game like Brighton was similar to the one against Wolves in that you could have taken a gamble using him at left back. Despite the fact that he faded against the Wolves, the Ukrainian started strong. Given his desire to remain relevant this season, he may have also given his all on Saturday afternoon.
Timber’s role as an inverted fullback hasn’t clicked yet; he did not significantly contribute to our ball movement against Brighton. When he inverted, he at times made himself unavailable to receive the ball.
Whatever else Zinchenko is, when he plays that role, he makes himself accessible to receive the ball and assists the team when in possession with his excellent passing ability, creating a threat for the opposition.
Many would argue against my notion that Zinchenko should have started against Brighton. And, while Zinchenko is certainly not a starter in every game (as he was last week), he would have been handy against Brighton.
Jack Anderson
ADMIN COMMENT
So here are some simple rules which I must insist commenters follow….
You agree not to give any personal abuse to other Arsenal fans. Everyone is allowed to hold their own opinions even if you disagree with them. It COSTS NOTHING TO BE POLITE TO OTHER ARSENAL FANS.
CALLING ALL ARSENAL FANS! Anyone who would like to contribute an Article or Video opinion piece on JustArsenal, please contact us through this link…
No, absolutely not, Calafiori could have been an option, but he hasn’t had time to gel with teammates.
I’d rather see Zinchenko backup Odegaard in midfield. Zinchenko at LB is a defensive liability that doesn’t outweigh him inverting in midfield.
Agree wholeheartedly.Against Spurs I would use Timber as a double pivot with Partey, and Califiori at LB assuming he gets game time for Italy in the international break.
Fully agree with this point
Zinchenko is not a LB period!!
We have Timber and Califiori, both proper defenders, to play that position.
I agree that Zinchenko in a defensive midfield role makes sense.
We have MORE than enough to be able to beat the spuds.
Zinchenko will play better as an
attacking Midfielder because he will not have reason to fault on the defence as he often does Which is
usually very costly for AFC. He can always link up from Timber or Calafiori playing at the left back very well.
What the author fails to note us that Brighton’s wingers would’ve run rings around Zinchenko. I could care less if Timber doesn’t get forward as well. Having zinny at LB is basically playing defense with three men because zinny can’t stop a nosebleed.
Zinny is really trying his best but i don’t know why arteta keep playing Him in that position.. Now we have players like Carlafiori and Timber, they should come in, that’s theire main role.
Zinny is not a full LB…..