Arsenal fans all say same thing about Oleksandr Zinchenko after Leverkusen win, they make demand to Arteta

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Arsenal produced a superb performance to thrash German champions Bayer Leverkusen in the Emirates Cup, and there was a surprise goalscorer.

Quickfire goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko and Leandro Trossard gave Arsenal a 2-0 lead, before Gabriel Jesus made it 3-0 by half-time.

Mikel Arteta made several changes at the break, and both Jesua and Zinchenko came off.

With Jurrien Timber suffering from a minor injury, and Riccardo Calafiori deemed not yet ready to feature after his arrival from Bologna, Zinchenko was handed a starting role at left-back.

Zinchenko showcased the best and worst of what he brings to left-back in the last friendly against Liverpool, and there is scepticism over his defensive ability. However, he showed his true quality against Leverkusen as he opened the scoring with an outstanding goal.

Arsenal fans have now praised his display and admitted that the much-criticised player does have a lot of quality, but they want Mikel Arteta to make a key change to get the best out of Zinchenko.

Arsenal fans want to see Oleksandr Zinchenko in midfield after Leverkusen goal

Taking to X, fans pointed out how they want to see Zinchenko moved to a midfield role, in which his attacking prowess and excellent technical ability can be properly harnessed.

“Zinny is 10x a better attacking player than he is defensively,” one posted.

“A reminder that Zinchenko was never an out-and-out left back. He was a No.8/10 masquerading as one but still held his for quite longer than expected,” another fan pointed out.

“Arteta should turn this guy into a no 8. Clearly he’s a midfielder not a defender,” a fan claimed.

“This guy is a victim of his coaches who keep shunting him at LB. This is an LCM,” a fan added.

“I will never give up on Zinchenko till i dont see him at LCM,” another fan posted in response to his goal.

“I think his talent is the ability to make those line breaking passes. He would really thrive playing in sort of the same position they’re playing Jorginho in right now,” a fan stated of Zinchenko.

“Zinchenko in midfield should be Arteta’s absolute transformation this season. The idea of our style is to keep the ball and there are a few players in the world who does that better than Zinchenko. If he’s a liability at the back, play him to his quality for the best of everyone,” a fan demanded.

Could Oleksandr Zinchenko play in midfield for Arsenal?

Zinchenko is clearly a very talented player despite the criticism levelled at him, and like Granit Xhaka before him, a positional change may help improve the perception of him.

His goal saw him make a late run towards the box, and fire in a superb finish from the left half-space after a cutback from Kai Havertz.

If played in midfield, he could replicate the role he plays in for Ukraine, and have the freedom to make these runs without the risk of vacating the defence too much. Whether Arteta feels the same way as the fans though, is a different story.