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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Mark Jones

Oleksandr Zinchenko debut watch as Arsenal new boy develops perfect partnership

Oleksandr Zinchenko has often been viewed as the type of player who possesses a versatility which can be used against him, a Jack of all trades and master of none, but in Arsenal he might just have found the right club for his talents at the right time.

The Ukrainian made his Gunners debut in Saturday night's friendly against Chelsea in Florida, and although the circumstances and the occasion at a sweltering Camping World Stadium in Florida have to be taken into consideration, it was a very authoritative start for the former Manchester City man.

Playing at left-back, Zinchenko was a valuable addition to the Arsenal attack as he raided forward to support Gabriel Martinelli ahead of him and Granit Xhaka just to his right, and sometimes behind.

Indeed, the presence of the Swiss could end up being of vital importance to Zinchenko as he makes his way with the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta's decision to play Xhaka in a slightly more advanced position as a No.8, albeit a defensively minded one, in the latter half of last season did draw some raised eyebrows, but now he has dropped back ever so slightly to partner Thomas Partey in a 4-2-3-1, Xhaka seems to have developed all aspects of his game from the frequently rash player we've all been used to, particularly the defensive side.

Xhaka has also done a job at left-back in the past, and that showed here as he dropped deeper to allow Zinchenko to foray forward. It was an impressively diligent display from the Swiss.

Zinchenko celebrates Odegaard's second goal (Getty Images)

If that form continues then it should give Zinchenko licence to express himself down the left if, as seems the case, that is where he initially settles under Arteta, who seems likely to prefer him at left-back to Kieran Tierney given the Scot's fitness issues.

Zinchenko was desperate to be involved in the Arsenal attacks from the get-go in Florida, playing one glorious cross-field ball to set Bukayo Saka away and linking with Martinelli as Trevoh Chalobah and Reece James were forced backwards for an out-of-sorts Chelsea.

With Zinchenko pushed high and receiving the ball from Xhaka on the halfway line, Arsenal eventually forced the mistake from Chalobah from which Gabriel Jesus expertly chipped the opener past Edouard Mendy. Both ex-Manchester City players look to have added an extra sharpness and ruthlessness to Arsenal, and surely the Brazilian is destined for goal-filled season.

Zinchenko was heavily involved in Arsenal's attacks (Getty Images)

Zinchenko looks like he wants a few goals too judging by an effort he struck from distance, and soon after he was back joining the attack and popping up in the penalty area shortly before Martin Odegaard's second.

None of this came with a dereliction of his defensive duties either, with the new man getting back to help nullify a Chelsea attack which included another former City teammate in Raheem Sterling.

It was perhaps expected that Zinchenko would only do 45 minutes as he got used to life with his new teammates, but it was a good start before he was replaced by Nuno Tavares at the break.

The Xhaka partnership is certainly something that will have pleased Arteta, and the positive signs were everywhere.

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