Arsenal have started the new Premier League season in fine form, with four goals scored and zero conceded. They have also done their homework while facing arguably one of their toughest opponents, Aston Villa.
Unai Emery’s side were wasteful in front of goal due to David Raya’s exceptional reflexes. Leandro Trossard and Thomas Partey punished them with a goal each in the second half.
Mikel Arteta’s side were strong defensively as well. Although most of the players were expected to start, Jurrien Timber’s introduction to the starting XI caught many by surprise.
ZINCHENKO UNHAPPY WITH ARTETA’s DECISION TO SNUB HIM AGAINST VILLA
The fans expected Oleksandr Zinchenko to feature more often after putting up colossal displays in the preseason matches. However, the manager preferred to stick with his notes and pick a left-back who can add more defensive strength to the back line.
Former Manchester United star Gary Neville claims that the Ukrainian wasn’t happy with this choice and that he should be picked up against the bottom half teams in the Premier League.
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He said this in a respectful way as the player-turned-pundit believes that the 27-year-old can find those tight spaces in opponents’ defence. This will help his side in breaking the solid defensive strategy that lower-placed teams often try to execute in the PL.
While speaking in the Gary Neville podcast, he said:
“Zinchenko will still play his role; when you’re playing against – and I’m not being disrespectful – but the bottom six teams, the bottom 10 teams, and you know you’re going to have an absolute mountain of possession at home and you’re going to have to work hard to probe and poke the ball through in tight spaces, Zinchenko is going to be fantastic in those matches.”
“He looked a little bit disappointed, Zinchenko, in the start of the game because he wants to play but again, he will contribute enormously with his spirit, with his personality but also on the pitch as well in certain games.”
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ZINCHENKO FACES A MANCHESTER CITY-TYPE SITUATION AT THE EMIRATES
The full-back faced a similar fate at Man City where Pep Guardiola picked other options available to him. It felt as if Arteta would pick the Ukrainian star due to his determination and hard work in preseason games.
But the story hasn’t changed. Zinchenko is behind Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori in the pecking order.
Timber started against Villa and it gave them an advantage at the back. Calafiori was used as a substitute and we believe that this is more of a tactical move.
Zinchenko struggled against the Villians last season as Arsenal crumbled under pressure. The defender was unable to track Leon Bailey’s pace and attacking movements on the flanks. Hence, Arteta decided to be brave this time and use Timber for more stability.
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It turned out to be a great decision in the end. The Gooners are not gonna mess up with their starting XI this year.
Meanwhile, as Neville said, the club should make the most of the former City star’s solid attacking skills against the teams which are too resilient at the back.
