Gary Neville calls Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko a “liability” for his performance in tonight’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool.
In a match marred by VAR controversy, Arsenal took the lead in the seventh minute when Gabriel got a precise shot from Martin Odegaard.
However, the 1-0 advantage was cancelled out 22 minutes later when Mohamed Salah easily outfoxed Oleksandr Zinchenko and smashed his unstoppable shot against the bar.
The 27-year-old, who arrived from Manchester City for £32 million in the summer of 2022, had a performance against Salah that he will forget all night.
Zinchenko was no match for the Egyptian’s explosive pace and power, prompting criticism from those in attendance.
Gary Neville, as a former full-back – and a pretty good one at that – knows what it takes when you watch someone playing in that position.
Unfortunately, Zinchenko’s performance against Liverpool did not put him in the former Manchester United player’s good book.
Throughout the game he was criticised for his lack of defending and wastefulness in possession.
On Salah’s goal, his legs turned to jelly, prompting a reaction from Neville on Sky Sports.
Neville said: ‘Neville was very worried because he was in the game with Neville yesterday: ‘Salah is absolutely sensational. Zinchenko is very unmatched against Salah. It’s such a weak defence.”
Even more worrying for Zinchenko is that this was not the only moment in the match when he looked out of his depth.
In the 54th minute, he tried to dribble from his own half and was tackled by Salah. He was very lucky that Declan Rice was alert to the loose ball, otherwise Arsenal would have been in trouble as Neville would have demanded his substitution.
“If you’re on the bench, you’re ready to be able to bring on Zinchenko. He’s a responsibility.”
Zinchenko’s poor form continues:
Unfortunately, the 1-1 draw against Liverpool was not the only time the 58-man national team has let his team down recently.
After getting caught out in defence in the 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa, former Gunners central defender Tony Adams described him as a “complete wimp”.
In last weekend’s 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion, he repeatedly lost concentration and often threatened Arsenal.
For all his undoubted quality, it is clear that Zinchenko is going through a difficult time and may need a few games on the bench to move out of the spotlight.
A rest could do him a lot of good, but it could also give Jakub Kiwior a chance to impress.