Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko has received criticism from Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.
The Liverpool legend said, as per Metro, that Mikel Arteta doesn’t fully trust the Gunners ace defensively.
Carragher was speaking after Arsenal played out a 2-2 draw with Jurgen Klopp’s Reds at Anfield on Sunday.
Zinchenko, normally a consistently outstanding player for the Gunners, endured a difficult afternoon.
Trent Alexander-Arnold nutmegged the 26-year-old before he crossed the ball for the Reds’ equaliser.
And Carragher was not pleased with Zinchenko’s display in the match.
“We’ve raved about Zinchenko this season and he was brilliant today until Liverpool got the equaliser,” he said.
“He’s brilliant on the ball but lets them down defensively at the last minute.
“If Arsenal go back to being a team fighting for the top four, that will be exposed a lot more.
“It happened in the first game of the season at Crystal Palace where Mikel Arteta brought Tierney on for Zinchenko.
“And it happened again (on Sunday) because he’s not trusted 100 per cent defensively.
“I can’t get Zinchenko out of my head. You need to be more aggressive – the league title is on the line!
“That can’t happen. It’s almost like he’s in training, there’s got to be more intensity from him.”
Our view
Bit of a harsh assessment from Carragher.
Zinchenko has been one of Arsenal’s best players this season and is one of the reasons the Gunners are as high as they are.
The £30million Arsenal signing plays ahead of Kieran Tierney because he’s so good in midfield and going forward.
Every player, no matter how good, will have the occasional poor display or make the occasional error.
Zinchenko’s contributions this season far outweigh that lone mistake against Liverpool.
It’s still in Arsenal’s hands and the Ukrainian will be eager to make amends. And he surely will as he’s amazing.
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