OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO looks set to be deployed in multiple positions by Mikel Arteta after his Arsenal switch was confirmed.
The versatile left-back, 25, has linked up with the Gunners from Manchester City in a deal rising to £32million.
Mikel Arteta is posed to deploy Oleksandr Zinchenko in a number of different positions at Arsenal Credit: Getty
Zinchenko has been brought in by the Gunners due to his versatility Credit: Reuters He has joined on a four-year deal and reunited with former City assistant manager Mikel Arteta.
The Ukraine international is the second player to swap the Etihad for the Emirates following the £45m transfer of Gabriel Jesus.
And Zinchenko was in the stands in the early hours of Thursday morning to watch his new team-mates beat Orlando City 3-1.
His versatility is a huge reason why Arteta has pushed for his signing, with the Spaniard declaring he intends to play him in defence and midfield.
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Gunners ANNOUNCE Zinchenko, Tavares, Saka contract UPDATE Speaking of the player, Arteta said: “I know the player really well, he’s an exceptional footballer and he is someone that is going to bring as well another competitive edge to that dressing room.
“He can play in both (defence and midfield).
“He was a natural No. 10 early in his career and we converted him into a left-back which can do a lot of things that we want in our way of playing.
“That versatility is something that is going to be important for the team because we have players in that position who are more specific full-back so I’m really happy.”
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Here SunSport takes a look at three formations where Zinchenko could fit in.
4-4-3 (Left-back) With Kieran Tierney plagued by injury troubles, Zinchenko could slot in at left-back to deputise for the Scottish star.
And with Arteta keen to play with inverted full-backs, the four-time Premier League winner would be a perfect fit.
Not only would he help to build attacks from the back, but he would also cover in central midfield when Granit Xhaka or a potential replacement for the Swiss ace pushes high up the pitch.
Having been utilised in the position under Pep Guardiola for a number of years, Zinchenko would be more than comfortable of playing there.
This is how Arsenal could look if Zinchenko starts ahead of Tierney at left-back 4-3-3 (Central midfield) Another area where Zinchenko will likely be tried out is in central midfield.
Despite being used as a left-back under Guardiola, his preferred position is in the middle of the pitch – where he plays for Ukraine’s national team.
Arteta is known to be in the market for a new No8, and Zinchenko would certainly offer a greater attacking threat than Xhaka.
And if Arsenal fail to sign either Lucas Paqueta or Youri Tielemans for the role, Zinchenko could see more game time in midfield rather than at left-back.
Zinchenko could feature in the middle of the pitch for the Gunners next season 3-5-2 (Left wing-back) Arteta favoured a three-at-the-back formation towards the end of the 2019-20 campaign where Arsenal won the FA Cup.
And he could revert back to the tactic over the upcoming term with the ex-Everton man now having plenty of options to choose from.
Tierney could start as a left-sided centre-back as he did in the Gunners’ FA Cup triumph, with Zinchenko to play as a wing-back.
Should Arteta opt for a 3-5-2 formation, he would be able to start Jesus and Eddie Nketiah up top, who have already forged a great relationship during pre-season.
Arteta could look to play Zinchenko as a left wing-back in a 3-5-2 set-up Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
