Oleksandr Zinchenko 's versatility has long been an asset, but one we rarely saw at Manchester City, where he was largely deployed as a left-back.
The Ukrainian left the Ethiad in the summer and followed Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal, where already he is being allowed to express himself in a different way. Zinchenko has ambitions to be a regular at the heart of midfield, the position he occupies for his country.
City couldn't guarantee that such was their quality in the middle of the pitch, but Arteta is finding ways to blood his summer signing into an area where he gets on the ball more. Zinchenko was named - and started - at left-back vs Leicester City on Satuday, but had Granit Xhaka as his closest midfield aid.
The Swiss star lined up alongside Thomas Partey at the base of midfield, but was regularly switching in and out with Zinchenko. Xhaka has, on occasion, filled in at left-back for the Gunners and that experience means a positional switch mid-game, which occurred on several occasions during Saturday's clash, could be a solution moving forward.
Zinchenko was able to float in, when Arsenal were in possession, and remained in midfield for minutes at a time, thus utilising his composure, game management and passing. During that period Xhaka was happy to sit in on the left side of defence, often advancing up to offer another attacking option.
The positional switch allows the Gunners boss to keep both his players happy, with Zinchenko more than playing his part centrally when Arsenal are on the attack. It was something the Spanish boss hinted at when the Ukrainian was first signed.
Have your say! Will Arsenal finish in the top four? Tell us what you think here.
He said Zinchenko was "a high quality player who will give us options and versatility. It's not only about the positions he can play but as well, the versatility he will give us in attack and defence." Last season Arteta also underlined how effective Xhaka could be as a left-back, stating: "Granit can play there, just look at the stats when the team has played with Granit as a left-back. They don’t get much better than that.”
Zinchenko and Xhaka combined to help the Gunners record a 4-2 win over Leicester City at the Emirates - with the latter getting on the scoresheet - as the hosts kept up their impressive start to the season. Arsenal added Jesus in the summer as they sought a new No 9 and the Brazilian has not disappointed - scoring the opening two goals.
His first was full of class as he bent the ball into the far corner whilst his second showed his predatory instincts as he headed home a flick on at the back post to put the hosts in full control.
