Owen Hargreaves couldn’t understand why Oleksandr Zinchenko was going to Declan Rice’s right side when coming into midfield for Arsenal against Manchester United on Sunday.
This was Oleksandr Zinchenko’s first start of the new Premier League season after missing pre-season through injury.
Arsenal fans are now used to the versatile player tucking into the middle of the park, from his left-back spot, and running the game for Mikel Arteta’s side.
But former England midfielder Hargreaves noticed Zinchenko go to the other side of the pitch, the positions an inverted right-sided fullback would take up, as he told Premier League Productions (04/09/23 at 2:10 pm).
Given that Thomas Partey isn’t in midfield, and now there is a new face in Declan Rice, perhaps that is the reason behind it.
The England international does prefer that side of the pitch, either way, it left Hargreaves baffled.
“It was interesting to see actually Zinchenko, why did he come in from left-back? Why did he go, not into the midfield to the left of Rice, why did he go on the other side?” asked Hargreaves.
“He would go behind him, to the right.”
Arsenal have missed Zinchenko
That early loss of Jurrien Timber, then the absence of Zinchenko, hasn’t helped Arteta during the early stages of the season.
That’s why, heading into the International break, he will be pleased that he hasn’t lost a game yet and only dropped points once.
The performances still need to improve, but with new players settling in and the return of Zinchenko, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Arsenal go up a level when players return from national duty.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
