Following two excellent performances in Arsenal’s last two pre-season games, against Bayer Leverkusen and then Lyon, Mikel Arteta gave Oleksander Zinchenko a starting spot in his left back position.
Unfortunately, despite having the opportunity to return Arteta’s faith in him and remind the Gooners of his prowess, the Ukrainian fell short of expectations, being bang average against the Wanderers. If you hadn’t seen him in action and watched him against the Wolves, you might agree with most Gooners assessment of the Ukranian from last season.
Zinchenko is technically sound and contributes to the team’s possession, but he is a liability at left back because he lacks defensive confidence, and his impact fades out at times.
When Mikel Arteta replaced Zinchenko with Timber in the 69th minute against the Wolves, it was a brilliant choice that completely changed the game. Timber came on, and interestingly, Wolves, who appeared to have found their rhythm and were dominating Arsenal, retreated. The Dutchman provided the physicality that the game required (over Zinchenko).
Zinchenko is Arteta’s weak link in defence, as evidenced by Arsenal’s resurgence after his substitution. Arteta should not dare play him against tough opponents.
Arsenal are to face Aston Villa next at Villa Park. If Zinchenko starts at left back, he will undoubtedly struggle against Leon Bailey’s pace. Timber should be Arsenal’s response to Bailey since he is press-resistant, defensively assured, physically fit, an organiser, and has excellent defensive awareness.
What do you think?
Darren N
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Surely Zinchenko has to sit out this one, and with Calafiori feet not yet wet, the Dutch man has to be given the nod here, but his over confidence has to be tempered.
Baily or Diaby could run the Ukrainian ragged at Villa Park, they will be licking their lips at the sight of the former Man City Man.
Your last statement says it all. Use Zinchenko here, risk three points. Great message!
Diaby has gone to the Money-Kingdom
The worst part for me of playing Zinchenko at LB is that his defensive weakness and the potential problem exacerbated by the inversion was known even before the 1st AV game last season (when it cost us the 7th minute goal).
I love how fit quick and strong Timber looked He has the eye of the tiger
Absolutely agree. This is going to be a tough game regardless of picking Timber a head of Zinchenko. Emery got the better of us last season, if we can win there that would be a major triumph.
It is no brainer that Zinchenko cannot manage the left back position. He should either be moved to midfield or put on the bench. Once Carafiori gets match fitness, Zinchenko might become surplus to requirements! There is also the impending arrival of Mikel Merino which might put further pressure on Zinchenko. The Villa game is our toughest because we lost to them home and away last season. Thus the likes of Zinchenko should not be selected for this game. Zinchenko’s body language does not exhibit any confidence when he is playing! I get the feeling that whenever he is involved in a tackle, he is all nerves and is never sure if he will prevail over his opponent! I might be wrong but that is what I read from his body language. It is a crucial choice between the team’s overall well-being and Zinchenko’s personal feelings. I believe each of us can see what takes precedence.
That’s exactly what it is
In short everything he does backwards is now bad
His backwards passes are bad
But his forward passes are great
He’s now jittery when we’re not in possession or in control of the game
Cannot agree more. Zincheko is certainly not our best option as LB. Why do we field a risk whilst a technically better player like Timber is warming the bench?
I think it’s a no-brainer. Timber for Zinny for the next 5 games and probably for 70 mins so the workload isn’t much on Timber. Recovering from an ACL needs time and rhythm. Having suffered from a similar injury, the more the workload, the more it affects his leg, his play and his confidence. So a lot of management will be necessary here.
Zinchenko defended well against Wolves despite being diminutive and slow. He was also good offensively
It was Timber who lost the ball in our area and forced Raya to make a save
However, Timber would likely start as LB at Villa Park, because Leon Bailey tends to cut inside and shoot from Aston Villa’s right wing
Zinchenko did not defend at-all against Wolves
What tackle or duel did he win
Timber lost the ball does not mean he didn’t defend well
Watch Partey, recycle attack from opponent for us
Watch Ben White stopping some attacks on his own
When Calafiori came in during the preseason he lost some balls
But there was a particular one-on-one – he tackled the opponent and got the ball off him
That’s what we call defending
Has Zinchenko ever won a tackle in his life ?
Watch Zinchenko blocking, intercepting and winning aerial ball when we played against Wolves
@Gai, Zichenko did his bit against Wolves and helped us dominate but his defensive work wasn’t outstanding. That’s expected though. Against a tough opposition in Vila it would be better to use Timber who also can invert effortlessly. And Calafiori is also another player to consider. I am just glad we have such options. I hope Merino deal is sorted this week. Metro reports Everton is seriously considering Nkethiah.
For once I thought Zinchenko played well. I haven’t heard anyone talk about Rice who to me had the worst performance of all.
Obviously Zinchenko is not a defender and with the available options now,Arteta should do justice to him and move him to the Left mid or CAM. Just like Havertz, he will do better.
Arteta coached Zinzenko in city and brought him to play LB in Arsenal. 2+ years here he did not improve and a liability to team. What kind of judgement about a player Arteta has and why he is not selling him. Arteta seems master in buying poor players in expensive prices then giving them to free. Academy players will do better than Zinzenko
Fairest comment from Cliff, l think.
Zinny has really done very well in the last three outings, but if better is possible, then good is not enough. In the EPL the margins are so small that our team selection process needs tough love bordering on ruthlessness. We blink we lose.
Zinchenko didn’t have a good defensive game (but, there again, neither did a couple of others). I wanted him to be given the chance against Wolves because I thought he deserved it, but it just didn’t work out for him in the position he played.
The Villa game will probably be completely different. For a start, Arsenal’s record is nowhere near as good against them as it is against Wolves. In the circumstances, like others, I think that Timber should be given a run out.
Arteta’s reluctance to play zinchenko in an attacking midfield position says a lot. Definetly, copying peps’ tactics which obviously isn’t working. He is obviously stubborn and never willing to admit his mistakes. Zinchenko is a liability at left back even when at manchester city, pep had strong back up plans for his defensive frailities when he plays. Arteta should start playing timber at left back or even throwing ricardo into the fray the earlier the better so as not to bring back the haunted memories of last season.
True!
Zichenko has no place in Arsenal team
I think some of the the blame Zinchenko gets is really unfair, I think he had a good game compared to some players against Wolves. I understand last season he was underwhelming in some games but really the criticism and the blame is always pinned on him. I really hope he does prove a lot of people wrong this season
!what Zinchenko brings to the team offensively is not special or exceptional. In fact, it’s mediocre. How many assists and goals has he provided and scored respectively since playing for Arsenal? On countless occasions, we have seen Zinchenko give ball away too easily(under no pressure) in difficult areas of the field, which creates a big problem for the team and the players around him. There is a defensive imbalance whenever he plays. Zinchenko is too slow, short and weak defensively. His defensive frailties has cost Arsenal the premier league title in the past two years. Zinchenko must be sold asap, as he is just not good enough. Arsenal must keep Kiwior as a backup center back and sell Zinchenko instead. With Calafiori ,Timber and Lewis-Skelly in the squad, there’s no reason to keep a defensive liability ,Zinchenko must go. He must be sold asap.
I think he had a decent game but I would prefer it, if Timber starts
Everyone is about Zinchenko not being a good defender and I agree. The last match he did well. There were a lot of balls that were given away in dangerous positions by other players, but no one is talking about it. We talk as if Arteta will see the stuff we write here. Let’s wait see who will make his lineup.
He doesn’t read it. I send him a full report every week giving him the highlights of the mood amongst Arsenal fans.
every player has strengths and weaknesses, Zinc is no different, e.g. strength is progressive passing, weakness is defence
likewise every opponent has strengths and weaknesses, style of play, personnel etc
Wolves at home is a very different opponent to Villa away
Wolves at home was an opponent who predominantly came to defend (until after half time 1 nil down), so Zinc progressive pass is helpful in breaking down stubborn defence and his own defensive frailties not coming under as much pressure
Zinc can suit a Wolves at home game
however Villa away is a very different situation, Villa will play open attacking football, they have an attack that can hurt us and are primed to exploit any weakness, exactly the opposite opponents for Zinc
Arteta knows this, and this season has two quality options that are far better suited to the occassion and opponent, it may be too soon for Calafiori to start so probably Timber, but no chance Zinc starts!
Arsenal1886,
You say that all players have there strengths and weaknesses, which I totally agree.
You then say Zinchenko’s strength is his progressive passing and that his weakness is defending.
Well, my question to that is what the hell is he doing at left back, if defense is his weakness.
Thousands of fans can see he’s a liability playing there, apart from the manager that is constantly lorded for being this so called great manager.
Come on lets get real with this.
@DEREK, hard to argue with that
three things I can say;
1) Zinc and Jesus were transformational for Arsenal when they arrived 2 years ago
2) Zinc is an Arsenal player on the books (i.e. is in the squad and fits with the squad)
3) is some matches attacking strength is more important than defence, e.g. Wolves on the weekend
but not Villa this weekend
if up to me I would sell Zinc now, his weaknesses outweigh his strengths
i was merely answering the question in the title, and perhaps offering [a feeble] explanation as to why Arteta selected Zinc against Wolves
Arsenal1886,
I’ve read your response, and to be fair your points are well made.
Having watched the Wolves game, I think Arteta saw that Wolves were starting to get a bit of joy down Zinc’s side and brought on Timber.
With Villa up next, I to suggest no Zinc for that one. And also Arsenal better not be so casual at times like they were at the weekend, as Villa won’t let them off so lightly.
It is pertinent for Arteta to realise that Aston Vila took 6points from us last season, in fact, they were the major reason why we couldn’t lift the premier league. Therefore, I advice not to field Zinchenko against Vila on Saturday, he should rather start the match with Timber, we must make a statement at Villa Park on Saturday, we must lift the title this season.
Timber is not a LB. Calaforini is. Cala for me should get the start. Timber is a right footed player. I don’t get it?