Andy Townsend has suggested on talkSPORT (5:43pm, July 18, 2022) that Oleksandr Zinchenko could take the place of Granit Xhaka in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal team.
Zinchenko is reportedly on the verge of joining Arsenal from Premier League rivals Manchester City in the summer transfer winow.
The Guardian have reported that Arsenal have agreed a £30 million transfer fee with Premier League champions City over the transfer of the 25-year-old.
The Gunners have reportedly agreed personal terms with the Ukraine, who can operate as a left-back or in midfield, and is due to undergo a medical this summer.
Former Chelsea midfielder Townsend has suggested that Zinchenko could replace 29-year-old Switzerland international midfielder Xhaka in the team at Arsenal.
Oleksandr Zinchenko to replace Granit Xhaka at Arsenal?
Townsend said about Zinchenko on talkSPORT (5:43pm, July 18, 2022): “Watching Zinchenko play in midfield for Ukraine in those qualifying matches was interesting because I thought he did very well in there. I thought he did well.
“Could he do what Xhaka does? Can he play in that role? Can he play in that sort of position and be that left-sider if need be?”
The talkSPORT pundit added: “For £30 million, you are not gambling with Zinchenko. You are buying a proven player, maybe not out of the absolute off-the-top shelf, but nonetheless a very capable one.”
In our view, Oleksandr Zinchenko could take the place of Granit Xhaka in the Arsenal starting lineup.
Now, we know that Zinchenko can play as a left-back or in midfield.
Kieran Tierney is the number one left-back at Arsenal, so we expect the Scotland international to play when he is fit and available.
Zinchenko is not going to move to Arsenal to be a squad player.
It is very likely that the 25-year-old could replace Xhaka in the starting lineup in midfield when Tierney is fit, but drop into left-back when the Scotsman is injured.
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