Arsenal have reportedly not closed the door on possibly replacing left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko this summer.
The defender’s form has somewhat tailed off since last season and is seen by some as the most questionable asset within the backline. He was targeted against Brighton while Aston Villa’s opening goal in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat came from his side.
The 27-year-old still has more than two years left on his contract and is thought unlikely to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer. Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claims that the Ukrainian’s future has not yet been decided but that does not mean Mikel Arteta may not consider recruiting another left-back this summer.
He told Caught Offside: “As has been reported, I can confirm that it’s a possibility for Arsenal to go for a new left-back in the summer. It’s not guaranteed yet because they still have to hold more meetings to discuss their summer plans, but a new left-back is one of the possibilities for the summer transfer window.
“There’s also been some speculation about the future of Oleksandr Zinchenko but my understanding is that nothing has been discussed yet with him – the full focus is on the final weeks of the season before that.”
Jakub Kiwior is seen as a more study option at left-back having helped to keep 11 clean sheets in 27 games this season – one every 2.5 outings. But Zinchenko has managed to tally 14 in 33 matches, averaging a clean sheet in 2.3 outings.
The former Manchester City defender has sometimes been asked to invert into midfield when at full-back, a trait that is yet to be asked of Kiwior. This versatility is something that, although not quite perfected, could make a case for his longevity at the Gunners given his regular stints in the centre for Ukraine.
Speaking about the tactical instruction in January, Zinchenko said: “It doesn’t matter which club I’m going to play for in the future or if I stay here for the rest of my life, I’ll do the same thing.
“I’ll help the team as much as I can and, wherever the manager sees me (playing), I’ll do my best — even being a keeper! I don’t mind, honestly. I feel comfortable in both midfield and as a full-back.
“I know my weaknesses and my strengths. That’s why I’m trying to work every single day to prove myself.”
