Arsenal left-back Kieran Tierney, who is currently on loan at Real Sociedad, has shared his thoughts on why Oleksander Zinchenko is a crucial player for this Arsenal team. Ever since Oleksander Zinchenko joined in 2022, he has completely transformed Arsenal as a team.
Once he arrived, Mikel Arteta decided to switch things up by using an inverted fullback who had the freedom to roam infield into the midfield. In that role, he became a sort of auxiliary midfielder, freeing one of the two defensive-minded midfielders to join in the attack and adding another playmaker to the team. So he helped caution the team defensively while making them efficient in their attacking play.
That system was pretty influential last season, but this season it hasn’t been as impactful. However, it has still come through on occasion.
Zinchenko’s injury struggles and inconsistency have had a negative impact on the effectiveness of this tactical move. Despite this, the Ukrainian international remains a great asset, and Tierney explained why.
The Scotland international discusses how well suited the ex-Manchester City man is to this system, suggesting that he is the perfect fit for the inverted full-back role. He also mentions that others can learn from him and acknowledges that he wasn’t disappointed despite not playing much, as he understood the reasons behind it.
Tierney said, “At Arsenal. the left-back can be one of the most central players in the team. If it’s Zinchenko, then he is one of the biggest creators from a central position.
“When that got introduced, it was alien to me. I have never played centre midfield. I started as a winger. I was trying to learn that when I was at Arsenal.
“When you see how well it works, it is hard to question it. My choice was to just get on with it and learn, and I got to practice it with one of the best. It’s so natural to Zinchenko; he makes it look so easy.”
When you listen to Tierney, it’s obvious that Oleksander Zinchenko plays a crucial role in one of Arsenal’s key tactical moves. Some may have doubts about his defensive abilities, but on a good day, he really strengthens this Arsenal team. Even if another full-back is signed to replace him, I think he’ll need to learn from him first before taking over. A
fter all, no one knows the ins and outs of playing an inverted fullback role quite like Oleksander Zinchenko, and it is very honest of Tierney to admit that he simply could not do the job as requested.
Darren N
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Nothing Annoys me Most in Watching Arsenal’s matches Than we playing this Inverted full back Style introduced by Arteta 😒
Where the left back leaves his Position to the midfield.😕
The System is Highly Counter productive when you play against Pure Attacking sides like Man City, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, etc.
For me, it is the MAIN REASON why we lost the EPL title last season.
Anyone who wants to Argue should go watch our 3 3 draw against Southampton when They Walcott was given a Free time Throughout the game.
you are entirely correct.Inverted full backs are a fad which will be short lived as the weaknesses in the system are now being exploited by teams with any measure of attacking ability.Inverted full backs may assist in winning the battle for possession but that in itself means little unless chances are created and taken.Against West Ham we played without an inverted left back , did not concede a goal, and scored six.Need I say more?
Yes, more needs to be said.
The arrival of Zinny and the effective use of this approach was transformative for Arsenal last season. It was major factor in getting us into a position that we could challenge for the PL title. Even this season we have used it effectively in certain games.
We’ve used a variation of the system to defeat MC, regularly stated to be the best in the world.
It works really well most of the time – it usually helps us stop the counter attacks before they develop. Sometimes we don’t implement it will enough, or teams find a way through it, so it’s not perfect (nothing is) sometimes we need to be smarter and adapt to the game, but it doesn’t mean it’s a bad system.
What a brilliant character Tierney has. So humble about the situation. I suppose we already knew that, but reading his statement there just raised him even higher in my estimation. I don’t even agree that zinchenko is perfect for the role (I don’t think he’d be starting now had timber and Tomi not suffered injuries) but it’s definitely the way arteta wants to go, and if Tierney can’t do it (something I’m also not 100% convinced about as he appeared to be improving), or doesn’t want to, then fair enough – better to move on.
I don’t see him coming back now tbh (for his unfortunate injury record as much as anything), but you have to wish him the best, wherever he goes.
Well said Davi.
Yes it was , Grandad
Zinchenko himself said at the beginning of the season after seeing Timber I assume, he said that he might not be the best at the club for LB/CM role. Great honesty from Tierney he’s a top character