Mikel Arteta has one glaring Arsenal ‘weakness’ he needs to fix against Liverpool

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Arsenal must prioritise protecting Oleksandr Zinchenko when they face Liverpool later today.

Arsenal will almost certainly start with Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back when they take on Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium this afternoon. 

Takehiro Tomiyasu will not have returned from the Asia Cup in time to feature in this fixture, whilst Jurrien Timber remains sidelined with a long-term injury. Jakub Kiwior could be called upon to fill-in at left-back, but he is naturally a centre-back, and has not always looked entirely comfortable on the flank when asked to deputise there. 

As such, Zinchenko is really the only left-back option available to Mikel Arteta. This would not usually be an issue, as the Ukrainian is a quality player who brings a lot to the way this Arsenal team play.

His creativity, range of passing, and ability to invert to take up positions in the middle of the park whilst the Gunners are on the ball all allow him to play an influential role in the team’s build-up play. 

The issues come, though, when Arsenal don’t have the ball. Against top class opposition, such as Liverpool, the 27-year-old can be something of a defensive liability.

Former club-captain and centre-back Tony Adams has previously labelled Zinchenko a “weakness” at the back. Meanwhile, after the full-time whistle against Nottingham Forest last time out, right-back Ben White clashed with Zinchenko on the pitch, as he felt that the former Manchester City man was at fault for the goal that Arsenal conceded late on. 

Arsenal must protect Oleksandr Zinchenko v Liverpool

For all of his technical quality and ability on the ball, Zinchenko is not the tallest, strongest, or fastest of players. He is also prone to lapses in concentration, loose passes in dangerous areas, and is vulnerable in one-on-one situations.

Arteta will be aware of these flaws in the 58-cap Ukraine international’s game, and will know that Liverpool have the quality to exploit them. As such, the Spanish coach must take measures to offset these weaknesses.

Assuming Gabriel Martinelli starts on the left-wing, the Brazilian must be given strict instructions to constantly track back and lend Zinchenko support throughout the match. Martinelli has previously drawn praise for his willingness to help out defensively, and that quality must come to the fore today. 

Equally, Declan Rice ought to be given license to drift wide to the left in order to make sure that the presence of his physicality is felt in that part of the pitch. On top of that, left-sided centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes must constantly monitor and marshal Zinchenko to ensure that he isn’t drawn out of position.

One positive for Arteta, is that star Liverpool right-winger Mohamed Salah is not expected to be fit for this match, as reported by talkSPORT. The Reds still possess an abundance of attacking quality though, and will likely be targeting Zinchenko as a weak link in the Gunners’ rearguard. Arsenal cannot allow that to be their undoing.