3 tactical tweaks Arsenal must make without Oleksandr Zinchenko

David Ornstein delivered the news that William Saliba will miss the remainder of the season for Arsenal, which many expected. However, he added an extra hammer blow with the news that Oleksandr Zinchenko will also miss the remaining three games.

Zinchenko reportedly picked up a calf injury during Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Newcastle on Sunday, but, despite reports, Mikel Arteta refused to rule the Ukrainian out for the remainder of the campaign.

This season, Zinchenko has been one of Arsenal’s most important players and system changes will have to take place if the team is going to adjust effectively.

3 tactical tweaks Arsenal must make without Oleksandr Zinchenko

1. Play to Tierney’s strengths

Zinchenko’s unique technical strengths allow him to step forward for Arsenal into midfield, in what is essentially a free role to give greater control.

Kieran Tierney does not have those abilities. He has made a huge effort to learn what Arteta wants from the position, coming inside, trying to dictate play and helping with the build-up, but the reality is KT doesn’t have those skills.

He has very different attributes, many of which Zinchenko lacks, and they should be embraced, after all those skills made him one of the best left-backs in the Premier League, and are the reason that high-flying Newcastle want him this summer.

Asking Tierney to operate like Zinchenko weakens Arsenal, but by playing to his strengths Arsenal will have a pacey full-back who can overlap Gabriel Martinelli, stretch the defence and allow him to cut inside, which could cause a lot of problems for Brighton with Tariq Lamptey and Solly March out.

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