Arsenal's excellent beginning to the season continued over the weekend courtesy of an enthralling 4-2 victory over Leicester. New signing Gabriel Jesus introduced himself to the Emirates Stadium in style with a man of the match display including two goals as well as the assists for Granit Xhaka and Gabriel Martinelli 's strikes.
Further back the pitch though, Jesus' fellow former Manchester City Oleksandr Zinchenko also drew praise for his performance in the left back position. The Ukrainian has started every one of his games for Arsenal in that position since his arrival from Pep Guardiola 's side last month and has quickly established himself as a favourite among the Gunners fanbase.
However, with Kieran Tierney approaching full fitness, Mikel Arteta is now left with a very tricky decision as to who he starts at left back for Arsenal. Here football.london 's Gunners writers run the rule over what they would do.
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Chris Davison - Arsenal Way writer
Left-back was an area of concern for many last season and the addition of Zinchenko has certainly eased the worries. Okay, it presents Mikel Arteta with a bit of a selection headache but it's a nice one to have.
Kieran Tierney is a top player, there's no doubt about that. There are not many out there that are strong in both defence and attack, but the Scotsman is very much a complete package in that sense. It's been great to see him back involved, but unfortunately, you get the feeling that it will only be a matter of time until he finds himself in the treatment room once again.
Zinchenko, however, provides stability and consistency on top of being an incredible talent. Watching him over the last couple of weeks, you could argue that he needs to work on the defensive side of his game, but that will come. Overall, he's been a breath of fresh air. Skilful, hard-working, aggressive and a threat going forward, his profile is exactly what Arsenal were screaming out for.
He's here to play and he's here to win, so considering Tierney's injury record and the speculation over his long-term future at the club, I believe the in-form Zinchenko is the man who deserves to stay in the squad for now at least.
HAVE YOUR SAY - Should Zinchenko keep his place? Leave a comment to let us know your thoughts!
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne - Arsenal writer
It's a nice problem for Mikel Arteta to have. Two very good options at left-back and in fairness to Oleksandr Zinchenko, he has made a solid start to life at Arsenal and has already proven himself to be a dependable solution when Kieran Tierney happens to pick up an injury.
However, Zinchenko's qualities are clearly when he's in possession and pushing forward. The problem is he looked vulnerable defensively against Crystal Palace as Jordan Ayew had his number and it was noticeable that most of Leicester City's attacks came down his side.
Whereas in Tierney's two substitute appearances so far he has looked very solid defensively and it feels like it's just a matter of time before he earns a recall. With games against Bournemouth and Fulham coming up, there's a case for handing the Scot a start in one of the two as it may not be too long before Zinchenko's weakness becomes a major issue.
In addition, with fixtures coming up against the likes of Aston Villa, Manchester United and Brentford, it's important Arsenal rediscover some defensive stability before that nightmare run in October when they face Tottenham, Liverpool and Manchester City.
Kaya Kaynak - Arsenal writer
I'm going to position myself firmly on the fence when it comes to this one as I don't necessarily view it as an either or. My approach to this selection dilemma is to go on a case-by-case basis when it comes to picking Arsenal's starting left back.
There will be some games where the infield technical brilliance of Oleksandr Zinchenko - which I feel has been key to bringing out the best of Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus in recent matches - will be needed, and others where the more direct overlapping approach of Kieran Tierney will be the better option. There's even a possibility that Granit Xhaka picks up an injury and Mikel Arteta decides to move Zinchenko into midfield and this debate is rendered unnecessary.
Mikel Arteta wanted a Swiss army knife defence capable of offering him the tactical versatility required to beat the diverse opponents he will come up against in the Premier League. Last year we criticised him for not having it, but now he has strengthened an area of massive weakness in his squad, I don't think it's really time to start viewing it is a problem.
Tierney and Zinchenko are both great in different ways. Let's celebrate that fact that Arsenal have them both instead of panicking about which one needs to start.
Tom Canton - Arsenal Fan Brands writer
A fully fit Kieran Tierney came on as a substitute as Arsenal beat Leicester. I have longed for this moment at this club.
That might seem strange but a lack of strength in depth has plagued the Gunners for years and years. No longer will Granit Xhaka come in at left-back, no more shall I see Stephan Lichtsteiner deputise in this role.
Arsenal have depth and whilst it is Oleksandr Zinchenko in the position performing like he did last Saturday, Tierney does not get back into the side. The understanding the Ukrainian had with Granit Xhaka was excellent and the pair enabled Arsenal’s left to become a real threat that the Foxes were ultimately unable to deal with.
Tierney has been relied upon so heavily by Arsenal that perhaps a cause of his injury issues has unfortunately been a result of the sheer number of minutes he’s played, and the rushing back from prior afflictions meaning his recovery has not been smooth enough.
Arsenal missed the Scot at key points in the Europa League in 2021 and in the Champions League qualification run-in this year. But with Zinchenko in, the problem is no longer Arsenal’s, it’s Tierney’s and what a challenge he has.
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