Paul Merson has reportedly stated that Oleksandr Zinchenko’s porous defending could prove dire for Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
The Gunners are vying for a first title in 20 years and have been near the top of the Premier League for the second season in a row. They lost their lead last term, but after some astute summer business and a year more of experience, they appear to be wearing a more put together outfit a year later.
Zinchenko is still used as a left back, and his versatility has been noted as a strength throughout his career. However, in the draw against Liverpool, he allowed Mohamed Salah to cut inside for a goal due to a lack of natural defensive instinct.
According to The Mirror, Merson is still not persuaded by the Ukrainian credentials in his own third. Implying that while he’s a perfect fit for games in which Arsenal will be the dominant team, he might not fare as well against their rivals.
What Did Merson say About Zinchenko?
The Arsenal legend told Sky Sports: “Arsenal are a different team now. They’ve learned a lot from last season and Declan Rice has taken them to another level.
“I think they will go on and win it now. This could be their problem: The left-back. That’s poor defending [against Liverpool].
“That’s my worry. I think they need Zinchenko for games against bottom-half teams, where they can go and play and dominate the game, but when they play the big boys [they don’t].
“They are nice fixtures [coming up against West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest ]. They should win all four.
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“If they don’t, you’re not entitled to win the Premier League. You’ve got to beat those teams and then the big games look after themselves.
“But I make Arsenal the team now. Coming out of the Liverpool game with a draw, and those next four fixtures, that’s 22 [games played].”
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