Despite an excellent showing across the park for Arsenal last night, French media have now been critical of one player in the win over Lens.
Mikel Arteta’s side started the match brilliantly, taking no time to overcome a disappointing loss in the reverse fixture.
Many thought there wasn’t bad performance on the pitch from those in red, but that’s not how L’Equipe saw it.
The publication often attracts attention with their match ratings, and on this occasion they decided to hand a 5/10 to Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Zinchenko appeared to have a fine evening, albeit a fairly quiet one.
A lot of Arsenal’s good work came down their right side initially, but the Ukrainian was still solid defensively and rarely lost possession.
Perhaps the French publication was just disappointed with Zinchenko’s perhaps lack of contribution for Arsenal against Lens, but it is a baffling one.
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Incidentally, Mikel Arteta thought Takehiro Tomiyasu was excellent in the first half, the marauding full-back on the opposing wing.
But that’s not to say that Zinchenko was lacking in his performance.
French media thought Oleksandr Zinchenko was Arsenal’s worst player against Lens
Despite this rating, it has been felt that Zinchenko has been improving for Arsenal of late.
The £30m man had been causing something of an issue with his lacklustre defending earlier in the season.
But after being reinstalled it does now feel as if Zinchenko has some added authority in his performances, determined to prove his worth.
There have never been any doubts over the defenders ability to invert in possession, there’s very few better, he has been costly when tracking back on occasion.
However, as this team develops, and Declan Rice continues in the pivot, Arsenal will be able to adapt to these strengths and weaknesses.
Perhaps this French report was just referring to a lack of activity on Zinchenko’s part against Lens, but if so, it would be a rare creative rest for the Arsenal man.
The club heavily rely on his ability against a low block, something that may be prevalent when an impressive Wolves team arrive to the Emirates on Saturday.