15 February 2023 , 16:04
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Mikel Arteta should drop Oleksandr Zinchenko for Arsenal's clash with Manchester City, according to Arsenal legend Tony Adams.
The Ukrainian made the switch from Manchester to north London in the summer and has played his part in a sensational campaign thus far for the Gunners. Arsenal are yet to face City in the league ahead of their showdown at the Emirates on Wednesday night.
A win for the visitors would see them go top, albeit they'd have played a game more. Arsenal have excelled against their main rivals on their own patch this term. They've beaten Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester United - with Adams highlighting how Takehiro Tomiyasu played a crucial part in those wins.
He told The Sun : "Obviously the chance to go six points clear at the top is a massive incentive for Arsenal but it’s not a cup final and they don’t have to throw caution to the wind. When they beat Liverpool earlier this season, Arteta played Takehiro Tomiyasu at left-back and it was a genius move because he just sat on Mo Salah and completely cut out that threat.
"It was the same in the 3-2 win against Manchester United last month, when Tomi replaced Ben White at half-time and stopped Marcus Rashford in his tracks. So tomorrow I would play Tomi at left–back instead of Oleksandr Zinchenko to take care of Riyad Mahrez because then Arsenal would have enough in midfield and up front exploit City’s weakness on the left of their defence and turn them over.
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"I just hope someone in the camp tells Mikel he doesn’t need to get clever for this one because Arsenal haven’t been in particularly great form recently, either, dropping points in their last two games."
Oleksandr Zinchenko Tomiyasu (Getty Images)Zinchenko has started 13 league games whilst his Japanese team-mate has only played in four games from the start. Arsenal were undone by City in the FA Cup just weeks ago and on that occasion it was Tomiyasu who played, albeit on the right of defence as opposed to the left.
Arsenal's defence has been key to them establishing themselves at the top of the table with William Saliba and Gabriel a formidable duo at the heart of the back four. They will be tasked with keeping Erling Haaland quiet, which Adams insists is their "ultimate test"
He added: "If Arsenal are going to win the league, then Erling Haaland will be their ultimate test. They have also been struggling for goals lately and they really need Gabriel Jesus back as soon as possible. Striker Eddie Nketiah has done brilliantly to come in and score some goals like Christopher Wreh did for us back in 1998."