Arsenal are doing everything to recreate last summer’s transfer window, when they spent up to £150 million to upgrade the squad. At the 2022 summer market, 4 signings have been brought in with about 150 million pounds spent....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
This figure will soon surpass the £100 million mark, when Arsenal are said to have reached an agreement with Man City to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko for £30 million. The Ukraine international worked with Mikel Arteta when he was an assistant coach at Man City.
The 25-year-old can play in a variety of positions, and will give Arteta a wide variety of options when it comes to line-ups. Here are a few ways for the Spaniard to fill in his old student’s name in his starting XI.
Left-back
Last season, we saw a lot of problems at left-back for the Gunners. Kieran Tierney injured, and rookie Nuno Tavares as a stunt double.
But the Portuguese struggled to adapt, leaving Arteta miserable. Zinchenko is often trusted by Guardiola to play at left-back and can handle it well in Tierney’s absence.
Left Midfielder
Although he often plays as a left-back in the Premier League, Zinchenko’s versatility makes him a useful asset. In the Ukraine national team, he often plays as a No. 8 in midfield, a position currently occupied by Arsenal defender Granit Xhaka.
The Swiss international has just one year left on his contract at the Emirates and with a packed schedule next season, Zinchenko could be an important player to slot in for him at left midfield role.
Wing-back
Although a four-man defense was Arteta’s choice last season, the option of using the wing-back can be an unpredictable choice.
Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White formed a solid central defense pairing last season, but the return of William Saliba from Marseille could prompt Arteta to change his defense system to suit all players.
If he chooses to play three centre-backs, Zinchenko can play as a left wing-back, presenting a lot of threat when moving up the left flanks.
