Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised Oleksandr Zinchenko following the Gunners’ 3-1 win over Burnley on Saturday.
The Arsenal boss, speaking to football.london after the game, said the 26-year-old is “critical” for how the Gunners play against teams like the Clarets.
Arteta also liked how defensively committed Zinchenko was on Saturday, and also how eager he was to get on the ball for his goal.
Zinchenko got the ball rolling at the Emirates Stadium, crossing to Bukayo Saka, who in turn nodded for Leandro Trossard to open the scoring in the first half.
The Ukraine international wrapped up the scoring in the 74th minute with a superb scissor kick over the defence and into the top corner of the net.
‘That’s what we need from him’
Zinchenko also caused Burnley all sorts of problems throughout the game with his crosses to the far post, and was solid defensively.
“Very happy with him,” Arteta said when asked about Zinchenko’s display.
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“Especially against these teams the fluidity, threat that he brings, the spaces that he occupies and opens for other players is critical.
“I really liked how defensively committed he was today. The goal is a really good example of how he’s living the game.
“When the ball is far from him, he’s the first on the ball, that’s why he scores the goal. That’s what we need from him.”
Zinchenko signing a masterstroke from Arsenal – TBR View
Zinchenko has been a superb signing for Arsenal, helping the Gunners go up a level since his arrival. Signing him was a masterstroke from Edu and Arteta.
Despite being a left-back on the team sheet, he is able to operate as an auxiliary centre-midfielder, as he did against the Clarets.
The 26-year-old is critical for how the team plays and, with him being in his prime, it’ll be exciting to see how much he contributes to Arsenal in pursuit of glory this season and beyond.