Mikel Arteta claimed that Oleksandr Zinchenko ‘understands everything I want’ after Arsenal thrashed Chelsea 4-0 in a pre-season friendly Florida on Sunday.
After Zinchenko swapped Manchester City’s colours for Arsenal’s, he was in the action straight away for his new side, getting 45 minutes under his belt on their USA tour and Arteta added that he had a ‘really good game’, as he told the club’s official website.
The 25-year-old was deployed at left-back by Arteta, with Kieran Tierney out injured and his unofficial debut display left fans impressed.
Zinchenko can also play in the middle of the park and it will be interesting to see how Arteta uses his throughout the season because there is no doubt his roles will vary.
But with Arsenal putting another win and positive display on the board in pre-season, this is what Arteta had to say about Zinchenko’s performance.
“He was desperate to play and I knew that,” said Arteta. “It was a maximum of 45 minutes but you could see straight away he was comfortable.
“He understands everything that I want, he understands the process and I thought he had a really good game.”
ZINCHENKO COULD BE ONE OF THE SIGNINGS OF THE SUMMER
The technically-gifted pocket rocket suits Arsenal and the manner in which Arteta wants to play perfectly.
Arsenal are trying to become more possession-based, on a number of occasions last season, they controlled games with the ball and defended by keeping that ball in the opposition’s half.
A player of Zinchenko’s standing, his ability to work in tight spaces, think quickly, be precise in his passing and be effective in his play will only improve the north London club in that department.
But can the four-time Premier League winner help improve the mentality at the Champions League-chasing club? Those nights at Selhurst Park, that defeat at St James’ Park and Tottenham.
Whilst Jesus and Zinchenko will no doubt bring the quality, it’s the change of mentality that is needed most.
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