It looks like Oleksandr Zinchenko’s time at Arsenal is almost over. The Ukrainian keeps falling down the ranks and was only played for 29 minutes off the bench in this afternoon’s game against Newcastle.
It’s worth noting that Riccardo Calafiori and Takehiro Tomiyasu were not on the team, but Mikel Arteta chose to play Thomas Partey at right back instead of Zinchenko and Jurrien Timber at left-back. The player who used to play for Manchester City hasn’t played a Premier League game since the first day of the season and doesn’t seem to be needed.
If Zincheko stays on the outside of Arteta’s plans, he should eventually try to get out of the Emirates in January, since it’s clear he won’t be able to make it back into the Arsenal team.
Zinchenko’s days at Arsenal are coming to an end.
Zinchenko moved from Manchester City to Arsenal in the summer of 2022 for around £32 million. He became Arteta’s first choice left back in North London. The inverted full-back played 33 times in all competitions in his first season, which was great and helped the Gunners go from fighting for the top four to competing for the title.
But because of injuries in his second season at Arsenal, he lost his spot as the clear first choice. Tomiyasu has started all six of the team’s last six Premier League games. This season has been worse for the 27-year-old. Players like Timber, Calafiori, Ben White, Jakub Kiwior, and even Myles Lewis-Skelly and Partey seem to have moved ahead of him in the full-back rankings.
The Ukraine international played a total of 79 league minutes before Saturday’s loss to Newcastle, and Arteta doesn’t seem to like him in almost any situation. Zinchenko used to be a favorite of the Spanish manager when Arsenal faced low blocks because of his wide range of passing options, which helped break through those defenses. However, the manager no longer uses Zinchenko in these situations.
The defender was brought on with 30 minutes left in the game against Newcastle, giving him a rare chance to make a difference this season. Arsenal was trying to tie the game at St. James’ Park. He then didn’t give the North Londoners any real help; sloppy passes and a lack of strength in duels were common themes in his poor play.
It took Zinchenko 77% of the time to complete a pass. He didn’t make any tackles, was dribbled past once, and didn’t win any aerial duels. He hasn’t done anything to earn the right to start on Wednesday night against Inter Milan at the San Siro.He dribbled past once and didn’t win any overhead battles. He hasn’t done anything to earn the right to start on Wednesday night against Inter Milan at the San Siro.