Arsenal legend Tony Adams has urged Mikel Arteta to drop Oleksandr Zinchenko for the top-of-the-table clash against Manchester City.
The north Londoners have the chance to go six points clear in the Premier League when they welcome City to the Emirates Stadium. However, they have lost their last 10 league meetings against Pep Guardiola's side, a record that stretches all the way back to November 2017.
But if there's ever a chance to halt that torrid record it is tonight, considering how much they have improved this season under Arteta's stewardship. One player that has been crucial to their success is versatile fullback Zinchenko, who tends to invert into midfield when his side have possession.
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Still, Gunners icon Adams thinks this isn't the game to play the Ukrainian international, urging his old side to go with Takehiro Tomiyasu at left-back instead. Speaking to The Sun, he said: "Obviously the chance to go six points clear at the top is a massive incentive for Arsenal but it’s not a cup final and they don’t have to throw caution to the wind.
"When they beat Liverpool earlier this season, Arteta played Takehiro Tomiyasu at left-back and it was a genius move because he just sat on Mo Salah and completely cut out that threat. It was the same in the 3-2 win against Manchester United last month, when Tomi replaced Ben White at half-time and stopped Marcus Rashford in his tracks.
"So tomorrow I would play Tomi at left–back instead of Oleksandr Zinchenko to take care of Riyad Mahrez because then Arsenal would have enough in midfield and up front exploit City’s weakness on the left of their defence and turn them over. I just hope someone in the camp tells Mikel he doesn't need to get clever for this one because Arsenal haven’t been in particularly great form recently, either, dropping points in their last two games."
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