Oleksandr Zinchenko has faced criticism for his defensive performance, particularly his role in Lens’ winning goal against Arsenal in the Champions League. Zinchenko has sometimes been questioned for his defensive contributions, and these lapses can have consequences, as seen in the match against Lens.
As Arsenal pushed forward in search of a winning goal, Lens capitalised on opportunities to counter-attack when they regained possession. In a crucial moment, with the score tied at 1-1, Lens initiated an attack, and Zinchenko was found out of position, ultimately leading to Lens’ winning goal.
Critics, including Michael Owen, have pointed to Zinchenko’s defending as a factor in Arsenal’s defeat in the match. Defensive lapses can be costly in high-stakes games, and Zinchenko’s performance came under scrutiny in this particular instance.
Owen said, as quoted by the Daily Mail:
‘Zinchenko is halfway house, isn’t he?
‘He has to either get close and affect the ball – either tackle or bring the player down or something – or he stays where he is.
‘But he can’t give himself away so easily. Sluggish. As soon as he was played around: sluggish.
‘We were talking before, he often gets brought off in games. Can he last games fitness-wise and stuff like that? He looked tired there when Lens played the one-two pass.’
Just Arsenal Opinion
We have never expected so much from Zinchenko’s defending and it is public knowledge that the former Manchester City man is not an elite defender.
We must put up with his inadequacies at the back unless we want to buy another left-back who is better, but he may not suit the system of Mikel Arteta.
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Losing Timber for the year is a big loss. He was great at LB, and I think he should replace Zinchenko when he returns.
Zinchenko continues to be a weak point defensively, and will continue to be targeted by opponents.
Personally I always thought him a better CM, and maybe next year Timber will take over at LB and Zinchenko can start ahead of Havertz.
The goal was in the 69th minute, which is usually when Arteta is about to substitute Zinchenko who has a very demanding role – playmaker going forward and left back when the opposition have the ball. No wonder he gets knackered. I think he has been subbed in every game he has started this season.
The absence of Xhaka and to a lessor extent, Martinelli, has exacerbated the clear vulnerability down our left flank which was exploited by Lens and may well be on Sunday by Man City.To assist Zinchenko, Rice should be moved to left midfield with Partey being used as our DM.I am pretty sure ESR will replace Trossard who quite frankly, was woeful against Lens, and I would not be averse to playing Kwior as a conventional left back to replace Zinchenko with Havertz joining him on the bench.We remain unbeaten in the League and let’s hope the players can clear their minds of the loss to a very decent French side and focus on performing at their best against City.
Arteta himself don’t know his first team he is always in confusion,why can’t he play zini as a middlfielder and play tomi on the left back for the time being as timber is continue progressing well.
Mark my words if he play harvert on man city game then we are doomed, hervertz is too slow it’s better he play smith row.
Grandad i personally see Gabriel Jesus replacing Bukayo Saka temporary at the right wing Leandro Trossard will be playing at left wing in the absence of Martineli Havertz wouldn’t be benched because he will be playing as a 9 against Man city so probably Declan Rice will play as a box to box midfielder and Jorginho as a holding midfielder, Thomas Partey will come in for Jorginho later on.
Havert must be dropped…zinchenko is good…Arteta is showing off…why did he chase ozil? Havert is very slow