Merson picks out Arsenal star he believes could cost them Premier League title

27 December 2023 , 08:44

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Merson picks out Arsenal star he believes could cost them Premier League title

Paul Merson is concerned that Oleksandr Zinchenko's defending could prove costly for Arsenal in the title race.

The Gunners, for the second year on the trot, are up near the top of the Premier League as they eye a first title in 20 years. Last term they let their lead slip but look a more polished outfit 12 months on following some shrewd summer business and a years more experience.

Zinchenko continues to be used at left back and the Ukrainian's versatility has been cited as a strength throughout his career, but a lack of natural defensive instinct was an issue in the draw at Liverpool as he left Mohamed Salah cut inside to score.

Merson remains unconvinced by his credentials in his own third, suggesting that he's an ideal player in games where Arsenal will dominate, but could come unstuck against their direct rivals.

He told Sky Sports: "Arsenal are a different team now. They’ve learned a lot from last season and Declan Rice has taken them to another level. I think they will go on and win it now. This could be their problem: The left-back. That’s poor defending [against Liverpool].

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"That’s my worry. I think they need Zinchenko for games against bottom-half teams, where they can go and play and dominate the game, but when they play the big boys [they don’t]. They are nice fixtures [coming up against West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest ]. They should win all four.

Oleksandr Zinchenko's defending is cited as a weakness

"If they don’t, you’re not entitled to win the Premier League. You’ve got to beat those teams and then the big games look after themselves. But I make Arsenal the team now. Coming out of the Liverpool game with a draw, and those next four fixtures, that’s 22 [games played]."

Jurrien Timber, a summer signing from Ajax, could be capable of playing at left-back when he returns from his lengthy injury spell on the sidelines. That could free up Zinchenko to play further forward and make Arsenal more solid defensively.

It was their backline that arguably ended up costing them in the title race last term as they were overhauled by Manchester City. William Saliba was their defensive leader and, after his injury, Arsenal began dropping points on a regular basis. The Frenchman is impressing at the heart of their back line again this season, with his influence telling as the Gunners have the league's best defence.

Samuel Meade