Where will Oleksandr Zinchenko play?

Where will Oleksandr Zinchenko play?

By Alec McQuarrie
Arsenal have signed another left-back. 
Or should that be central midfielder? Or maybe attacking midfielder? Or even winger? 
What’s certain is that Mikel Arteta has signed versatile Ukrainian international Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City for £32 million. 
The rest is ripe for interpretation and there may not even be a definitive answer to the conundrum of where Zinchenko will line-up for Arsenal next season. 
Pep Guardiola offered up a hint in April when he said: “In the position that we have in the midfield, in the pockets as the attacking midfielder. That is his position definitely. 
“When we bought Oleks for £2 million from Ukraine, he was a No 10, a Phil Foden position, a creative player. But the needs we had… We didn’t have a left-back for many years.” 

Zinchenko's versatility 

The 25-year-old has played in a number of positions for his country including left midfield, wing-back, left-back and left-wing. 
But he’s most often deployed as a central midfielder or attacking midfielder, where he ran the show against Scotland at Hampden Park last month. 
It’s no surprise to find out that number 10 was his natural calling growing up in Ukraine either. 
Arsenal are in need of central midfield reinforcements so surely the former Ufa player will see most of his minutes in the centre of the park, right? 
Well perhaps not according to Mikel Arteta who spoke to the media on Friday. 
“His main position is as a left-back,” said Arteta. 
“But within that position and within the formation that we have, he can alter and occupy different spaces on the pitch. This is the main quality Oleks has.” 
This would suggest Nuno Tavares may be moved on in the near future, with a reliable back-up for Kieran Tierney now secured. 
But it would not be shocking to see Zinchenko playing a slightly different role to his new teammate. 

Competition at CAM 

Although both are left-footed, it was noticeable last season how the Scot almost exclusively kept his width in advanced areas, while the Ukrainian tended to drift inside to occupy the half-spaces. 
Even Martin Odegaard is unclear over Zinchenko’s future position, but was delighted with the transfer nonetheless. 
He said: “I’ve seen him play a lot and I really like his qualities, I think he’s a really great player. 
“I think he can play both positions, sometimes as a left-back and midfield, I think he can even play winger.” 
One last clue might be gleaned from the four-time Premier League champion’s squad number which was leaked on Friday. 
The new signing will have 35 on the back of his jersey this season, previously worn by Gabriel Martinelli and Mohamed Elneny. 
Unfortunately, I’m not sure that’s conclusive either.
Photo Credit: Getty Images 

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