Oleksandr Zinchenko was again absent from training as Arsenal gear up for tomorrow night’s Europa League clash with PSV Eindhoven.
The Ukraine international started the season as Mikel Arteta’s first choice left back but hasn’t featured for the Gunners since the north London derby at the start of the month due to a persistent calf problem.
While the manager played down talk of his summer signing being sidelined until the World Cup hiatus, Zinchenko’s continued absence is a bit of a worry. We imagine Kieran Tierney will step up tomorrow.
Football.London’s Kaya Kaynak additionally reports that Marquinhos is the only other doubt. The Brazilian is currently ill and also missed training.
Marquinhos was unwell this morning and missed training but could still be in the #AFC squad tomorrow. Oleksandr Zinchenko was not part of the main training session earlier.
— Kaya Kaynak (@kayakaynak97) October 26, 2022
The Gunners head to Holland having already qualified for the knockout stages but need a further point from the remaining two games to secure top spot in Group A that would ensure we skip an additional play-off double-header in mid-February.
For those of you who are kit aficionados, it’s being reported that adidas will supply us with a bespoke set of shorts for tomorrow’s match. UEFA rules stipulate that the colour of our shorts can’t clash with those of PSV.
Having decided the black shirt provides the biggest contrast to PSV’s red and white stripes there was the prospect of pairing them with our white home shorts which…would have looked very odd.
The Evening Standard now claims a set of grey shorts could be provided. Here’s hoping we don’t soil them as they’re bound to be a collectors’ item.
Come back Zinny, we thought you were great at the start of the season!
Yes, he certainly looked the part but, like Tierney, he seems very injury-prone (and was at City apparently). I’ll doubt he’ll appear that much over the season – but you never know. It’s worth waiting for if he’s on form.
HIs injury record looks very bad to me – https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/oleksandr-zinchenko/verletzungen/spieler/203853 – lots of injuries and knee surgery causing him to miss many days and matches in recent seasons.
It is – despite the negative vote for me saying so. Clearly, we knew that when we bought him, so I guess it’s a balance between good performances and availability.
#EmbraceTheDownVotes
Oh, they don’t worry me. It takes all sorts (as the actress said to the bishop).
pleas dont write or say zinny. its, well, i dont know. ok, i ddo know, but i cant write here. but please! think about something more inspired
We discussed this some time ago. Call him Zinc, because when he plays, he galvanises our left flank.
Would like Cedric to get some minutes tomorrow and see how Tomi does in the LCB over Gabriel. Gabby not only needs a rest but could really do with some competition.
Tierney Tomi Holding Cedric as the backline for me.
Mikel won’t play Cedric against Gakpo.
Let Zin heal at the right pace. As it is with Kieran and Tomi fit, and even Xhaka who can play there, I guess we have enough cover at the left back. My only worry is burnout to Partey and Saka both of whom, in my opinion, have no suitable replacement for now.
Exactly my thoughts
It will be interesting to see how many regular first-team players Arteta actually decides to play against PSV. I think it is pretty clear that fatigue is beginning to play a part in the team’s overall performance now and, ideally, Arteta would want to rely more upon other players in the squad. However, given we want only a point to secure top place in the group, I think he may try and get it tomorrow by playing the strongest available team, at some time during the 90 minutes if not from the start. He had to do that in the… Read more »
Perhaps there be an “agreement” between the clubs to play the back ups 🤷🏻♂️
Maybe. We’ll get a better idea when the starting elevens are announced.
I’d rather have the fullest rotation ever and play for a draw, which will guarantee us a first spot, and a strong rested team for Nottingham. We must prioritise the premier league
I agree – a point in the hand is worth etc. That said, PSV aren’t going to be a pushover on their home turf so I suspect our players will need a rest afterwards.
It’ll be close to the same 11 that beat them last week.
Turner, Tierney, Holding, Lokonga, Vieira, Nketiah + five from the first team.
Tomiyasu did well to keep Gakpo quiet last week so my hunch is he starts at right-back again tomorrow.
Really good evidence of the value of flexibility. Between Tierney, Tomiyasu, and Zinchenko (all of whom have had recent injury issues), we have done perfectly well at left fullback. Although we haven’t needed it, I think the same is true on the right side with White, Tomiyasu, and–a step down, but not a fatal one–Cedric Soares. And we have White, Tomiyasu, and Holding (and Tierney if we use a three) to step in for Saliba or Gabriel. A fit Smith Rowe would go a long way to give us that flexibility in front as well. But we have three first-choice… Read more »
Hope the Southampton game made it clear that Marquinhos should be brought on for Martinelli and not Nketiah
Amazing that with three separate kits none is totally suitable for a particular match.
I don’t know what the issue is with black shirts and white shorts.
I recognize it was preseason, but Ruell Walters looked pretty damn good at the time. Why not give him a start at right back, Holding and Tomi at CB, and Cedric at left back? If it doesn’t work we can always bring in White off the bench to shore things up. Would be interesting to see how Walters handles Gakpo.