08 May 2023 , 17:12
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Oleksandr Zinchenko has undoubtedly been a successful signing for Arsenal since his arrival from Manchester City last summer, but the left-back's game certainly has its flaws.
Those same flaws were on full display during the Gunners impressive 2-0 win away at in-form Newcastle on Sunday afternoon. Though Mikel Arteta's men had plenty of joy of their own, the majority of the Magpies attacks were coming down Zinchenko's side in what seemed to be deliberate targetting of the Ukraine international.
The 26-year-old struggled with wave after wave of Newcastle pressure and was beaten far too easily by Jacob Murphy early on in the second half, which nearly resulted in an equaliser for the hosts had it not been for the goalpost coming to Arsenal's rescue.
Arteta had seen enough and hooked Zinchenko shortly after in place of Kieran Tierney, who has spent the majority of the season playing second-fiddle to Zinchenko despite being the superior defender in the eyes of many.
For all of Zinchenko's remarkable technical quality, he has struggled desperately from a defensive viewpoint in recent weeks and come in for some scathing criticism from a man who has experience as an Arsenal defender himself in William Gallas.
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Speaking after the Gunners were held to a shock 3-3 draw at the Emirates by bottom-placed side Southampton last month, Gallas laid into Zinchenko as he claimed: “The defence was terrible.
HAVE YOUR SAY!Is Zinchenko's defensive ability a problem for Arsenal? Comment below
Oleksandr Zinchenko did not have his best game against Newcastle"Zinchenko was sleeping for Southampton’s third goal. It was not the first time he has been found wanting.
"Defending is not his strength. One versus one is often a problem."
Given Arteta's decsion to withdraw the left-back once it became clear he was fighting a losing battle at St. James' Park, it would seem the Arsenal manager agrees with Gallas' assessment of the situation.
Tierney immediately offered more in a defensive sense after he was introduced to proceedings and as a result Arteta may be left mulling over how to handle the issue surrounding the Scotsman's playing time.
The ex-Celtic star has not featured anywhere near as much this term compared to past seasons and in turn speculation has started that suggests Tierney could be on the move in search of regular first-team football elsewhere this summer.
Arteta may now be having second thoughts over parting ways with Tierney so soon, given that while Zinchenko has been a shining light for most of the campaign, there are some areas where he leaves Arsenal weakened, as Gallas pointed out in brutal fashion a few weeks ago.