Big Arsenal centre-back Zech Medley had a mixed afternoon on Saturday.
The 20-year-old made his League One debut for loan side Gillingham as Steve Evans’s side lost 2-0 at home to Hull City.
The towering Arsenal youngster, who stands at 6’5, was out-jumped by Josh Magennis who powered home a header to kill off the hosts’ chances of a comeback on 82 minutes.
And Evans has suggested that Medley really should have done better for his part in the goal.
The Scot said during an interview on the club’s official Twitter account: “It’s a good free kick into the box. You say it’s a good header but from my point of view I just want my centre-back who’s nominated to pick him up to pick him up.”
Evans clearly feels that Medley – the centre-back in question – was complicit in the defeat, but the stats tell a different story.
According to WhoScored, the Arsenal giant made 13 clearances during his 90 minutes on the field, which indicates a relatively decent defensive display.
Of course, that isn’t to say that he wasn’t to blame for Magennis’s goal but, overall, it would appear as if Medley didn’t deserve to be thrown under the bus in the context of his all-round performance.
Another Gunners prospect in the form of Trae Coyle also made his league debut for the Gills, but Evans took him off after 45 minutes and it remains to be seen if it was a forced change or a tactical one.
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