Arsenal’s starting XI under Mikel Arteta has been relatively constant when everyone was fit, but a knock to Oleksandr Zinchenko meant Kieran Tierney had a chance to show he belonged in the set-up amid talk of a summer exit.
The Scottish international has been a key figure for much of Arteta’s tenure, and his absence at the end of the 2021-22 season was one of the factors behind the North London side missing out on a top-four finish. Zinchenko has taken things to a new level, though - both on the pitch and in the dressing room - leaving Tierney with limited options.
The ex-Celtic defender started all six of Arsenal ’s Europa League group games, but has been a far less constant presence in the league. His last start came in the reverse fixture on Boxing Day against the Hammers, but Zinchenko’s absence against West Ham at the London Stadium offered a chance - and a test.
As Manchester City look to chase down Arsenal in the lead-up to their huge late-April meeting at the Etihad Stadium, there has been one notable trend on the part of Pep Guardiola. The Catalan has encouraged his full-backs to step into midfield, with John Stones doing so with the most frequency and the likes of Rico Lewis and Nathan Ake also taking turns.
Arteta’s past at City has been felt at other times this season, and Zinchenko’s versatility has been used before today. Tierney’s adaptability is still worth noting, though.
Arsenal’s fluid back-line has been a feature for much of the campaign, though on this occasion it was often Ben White pushing inside as a third centre-back or another member of the Gunners side dropping to left-back to allow Tierney inside. Most of the time this was Granit Xhaka, a man who has also started games on the left of Arteta’s defence, but in one instance it was centre-forward Gabriel Jesus as the most deep-lying player on that flank, further demonstrating the fluidity of the league leaders’ set-up.
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That’s not to say Tierney neglected his full-back work. The Scot put in a crucial sliding challenge to deny Jarrod Bowen as the England international looked to break free at the end of the first half, as well as a big sliding block to deny the same player 15 minutes from time, and was often assisted by Xhaka as he looked to keep his direct opponent in check.
Hammers frontman Michail Antonio appeared keen to pressure Tierney and left-sided centre-back Gabriel in the early stages, but later opted to test himself against Rob Holding on the other side. The switch spoke to how little change Antonio was getting out of his opponent before the break.
One area where Zinchenko may have been missed, however, is the calm which he instils in his fellow players. Arsenal were fully in control at 2-0, but needlessly allowed their opponents back into the game with sloppy possession before switching off entirely for Jarrod Bowen's equaliser.
Arteta knows full well he needs to use his full squad this season, be that by choice or necessity. We saw further evidence of that as January signings Leandro Trossard and Jorginho were the first to be introduced from the bench.
Choice and necessity are not the same, of course, and it may well be the case that ZInchenko comes straight back in against his former club. Still, this might not be the last time we see Tierney called upon this season, and it surely won't be the last time Arteta encourages his full-backs into the middle of the park.
