Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara has now
spoken out in defence of Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Oleksandr Zinchenko did not have his best ever game in an
Arsenal shirt against Wolves on Saturday. Going forward, the Ukrainian
left-back was still able to make an impact.
After some sharp interplay with Gabriel Jesus on the left-flank,
Zinchenko was able to pick out Martin Odegaard in the box. The club captain
duly swept the ball into the back of the net, putting the hosts 2-0 up.
At the back, however, Zinchenko was liable for one key error
which let Wolves back into the match. In the 86th minute, the 26-year-old gave
the ball away in the Arsenal penalty area. Matheus Cunha was then able to take
advantage and pull a goal back for Wolves, setting up a nervy finish for the
hosts.
According to WhoScored statistics, Zinchenko was dispossessed
three time against Wolves, more than any other Arsenal player on the
pitch.
Zinchenko arrived at the Emirates Stadium in a £32 million
move from Manchester City in the summer of 2022. In his time at the club, under
Mikel Arteta, Zinchenko has revolutionised the way the left-back role is
performed at Arsenal
The 58-cap Ukraine international routinely inverts from his
left-back position, bolstering Arsenal’s numbers in the middle of the park. He
is then given a great deal of freedom to roam forward and act as an additional
playmaker in the final third. Arteta will not move Zinchenko away from this
position.
Arsenal make calculated gamble by playing Oleksandr Zinchenko
He has transformed the way Arsenal play. However, his
defensive frailties can be a problem, as they proved to be against Wolves.
Arteta will feel that the positive aspects of Zinchenko’s game make the risk of
picking him as part of the defensive line worthwhile.
Speaking after the Gunners’ win over Wolves, Jamie O’Hara
offered Zinchenko his support. Speaking on talkSPORT (02/12/2023, 19:10), the
former Spurs ace said, “you have got to appreciate, though, he knows how to win
things. He has been at Manchester City, he has won massive tournaments, massive
trophies, you have got to respect what he has done for you.”
“He has come in, he has been a leader in the group, he took
you to another level, I think he is a good player. Yeah, defensively, he lets
you down, but he has been a midfielder pretty much his whole life. He has reverted
to a left-back because he can be used there.”
Zinchenko certainly brings plenty of winning experience to
the dressing room. In his time on the books at Manchester City he won four
Premier League titles, amongst other honours. Having that kind of experience in
the group will be vital if Arsenal are to successfully pull off a title triumph
of their own this season.
The positives of having Zinchenko in the side outweigh the
negatives. However, Arteta will be keen to see the player take greater care
with the ball when it is in the Gunners’ own defensive third from now on.
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