Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko has been compared to Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold, but not for the right reasons.
The Ukraine international’s defending has been a hot topic of discussion over the last few days following his error against Wolves. Pundit Adrian Clarke has had his say now.
Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko compared to Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Trent Alexander-Arnold are two incredible players for Arsenal and Liverpool respectively.
The England international is one of the best passers in the Premier League. His ability over the ball is incredible, and he has been among the goals recently as well.
Zinchenko is incredible too. There is nobody else in the Premier League who plays that hybrid role as well as he does at the Emirates, and he is one of our most important players.
The one similarity Zinchenko and Alexander-Arnold share is that they both struggle with their defending at times, and they’ve been at the end of some serious criticism as a result.
Adrian Clarke has now compared the two. He said on the Handbrake Off Podcast: “I’m completely conflicted and this is why managers like Mikel Arteta get paid the big bucks.
“It’s like Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool. He offers so much in the quality of his deliveries and his set-pieces, but he’s an absolute liability.
“I think there are positives with the calmness he brings, you have to accept it. Someone who is so calm and handles the ball so well will sometimes get caught. For Liverpool away, I would probably leave him out, but not Villa.”
Tomiyasu should start over Zinchenko vs Liverpool
When Arsenal dominate possession for large parts of the game against sides who deploy a low block, Zinchenko is a phenomenal player to have in the side.
The Ukraine international’s ability to slot in as a midfielder and help us unlock the opponent’s defence makes him a valuable asset, and that’s why Mikel Arteta paid £32 million to bring him in.
Against a club like Liverpool away from home, however, Takehiro Tomiyasu is a much better option at left-back. He has already had great success against Mohamed Salah, and when we face Jurgen Klopp’s side at Anfield before Christmas, we think the Japanese defender has to get the nod over Zinchenko.
However, until then, we expect the Ukrainian to keep his place in the side.
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