‘He is my favorite player in the squad’: ‘Amazing’ Arsenal player Odegaard loves now set to be fit to face Southampton on Friday
Arsenal defender is expected to be fit to face Southampton this Friday.
A report from the Evening Standard suggests that the Ukrainian international could feature against the Premier League’s bottom club.
Oleksandr Zinchenko’s absence against West Ham yesterday was a surprise.
The 26-year-old has quickly become a seriously important player to Mikel Arteta.
He offers Arsenal an option they’ve never previously possessed – a defender comfortable slotting into a midfield role.
Tactically it’s caused many Premier League sides huge problems this campaign.
However, in his absence Kieran Tierney was deployed in his place yesterday.
It’s been argued he’s a better defender, but Arsenal needed to regain control against West Ham.
Tierney isn’t capable of that, whereas Zinchenko’s coolness in possession could have made a real difference.
Mikel Arteta now looks set to have Zinchenko available when Arsenal face Southampton in four days’ time.
It’s a big boost for the Gunners who will hope they have a clean bill of health across the squad for the final run-in.
Arsenal star Zinchenko set to be fit to face Southampton
The report from the Evening Standard states that, ‘A groin injury ruled Zinchenko out against West Ham after the Ukrainian picked up the issue a week earlier at Liverpool.
‘However, Standard Sport understand he is set to be fit to face Southampton on Friday night.’
Zinchenko said to a reporter before yesterday’s match that he’s not worried about his latest setback.
The left-back is an important leader already within the Arsenal squad, and has a big fan in captain Martin Odegaard.
“Amazing player, the quality he has on the ball,” Odegaard said.
“But also he’s a winner, he always wants to win. And he brings a lot of energy every day, always give 100 percent, always fights for the team.
“And he has a lot of passion for the game. He’s a great guy to have in the team.”
Southampton are on a poor run of form, and Arteta may not want to risk Zinchenko when they face them on Friday.
They have a massive game on the horizon against Manchester City, but can’t afford any slip ups between now and the end of the season.
