‘It’s an option’: Arteta hints Arsenal ace may feature in different position after Elneny news

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Oleksandr Zinchenko could play in midfield for Arsenal after the Gunners were dealt injury blows to both Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny.

Arsenal claimed another win on Saturday evening, coming from behind to beat Fulham 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium.

Gabriel Magalhaes gifted the opener to Aleksandar Mitrovic but he ended up scoring the winner, bundling the ball home from close range.

Four wins from four is a perfect start for Arsenal but it hasn’t all been good news for Arteta and co in recent days.

Oleksandr Zinchenko could play in midfield

When Arsenal’s lineup emerged for the Fulham clash, fans noticed the absence of both Zinchenko and Thomas Partey.

Zinchenko suffered a sprain to his knee entraining last week and was held out of the game as a precaution.

Partey picked up a thigh problem and may not be back in time to face Aston Villa on Wednesday night.

This has been compounded by another injury as Mohamed Elneny is facing a significant spell on the sidelines according to The Athletic.

That leaves Arsenal very short in midfield as things stand, and it may just force Arsenal to dip into the transfer market.

With less than 48 hours of the window to go, Arsenal are leaving it late if they want to secure a new midfielder.

That may force Arteta to consider other options and one of them could be new signing Zinchenko.

Whilst the Ukrainian has slotted into the Arsenal side at left back – where he played for Manchester City – Zinchenko is a central midfielder on the international stage.

That means Arsenal can play Zinchenko in midfield and go with Kieran Tierney at left back.

Zinchenko will need to be fit for that to happen, but he could be available for selection very soon.

Arteta has now told Football London that playing Zinchenko is ‘an option’ for Arsenal, believing that his versatility could come in very handy amid this double injury blow.

“It’s one of the options,” said Arteta. “We can use him in midfield, as an attacking midfielder, as a holding midfielder. Of course, it’s an option. He’s played there as well, so it’s great to have players who can give us that versatility,” he added.