Mikel Arteta said Oleksandr Zinchenko did ‘magnificently well’ against Manchester United
Mikel Arteta and Ian Wright had differing views on Oleksandr Zinchenko’s display after Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Manchester United on Wednesday night.
After failing to break down United in the opening 45 minutes at the Emirates Stadium, Jurrien Timber and William Saliba both scored from corners in the second half to seal the win for Arteta’s side.
Zinchenko, meanwhile, was handed only his second Premier League start of the season and before the game, former Arsenal striker Ian Wright admitted he was concerned when seeing the Ukraine international on the teamsheet.
‘I’m worried about the left side, I can’t lie,’ Wright said on The Overlap’s live watchalong before kick off.
Zinchenko then added to Wright’s nerves in the second half after he fouled Amad Diallo to give away a free kick on the edge of Arsenal’s penalty area.
‘He frightens me to death,’ Wright said of the Arsenal defender.
‘This is what I said, he worries me.’
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal passes the ball during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United FC at Emirates Stadium on December 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Ian Wright admitted he was ‘worried’ by Oleksandr Zinchenko during Arsenal’s win (Getty)
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Arteta then substituted Zinchenko shortly after the foul on Amad, with Timber moving to left-back, while Thomas Partey filled in on the right side of defence for the remainder of the game.
‘You know what, you’ve done well… this is a good move for you,’ Wright said as the camera showed Zinchenko leaving the pitch.
However, Arteta disagreed with Wright’s in-game analysis of Zinchenko’s performance following Arsenal’s win, which has put them seven points behind Liverpool in the Premier League.
‘Big credit to Jakub [Kiwior] and Alex,’ Arteta said in his post-match press conference.
‘I think it’s the first start for Jakub after a long time, you have to be thrown against this kind of opposition this kind of front players.
‘The same with Alex, they did magnificently well so great. We trust them, they prepared so well, they had the opportunity and they grabbed it with both hands so very pleased for the team.’
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