Arsenal made several changes as they secured a 2-0 victory over Luton Town ahead of a busy month, and there were some impressive performers.
Emile Smith Rowe was named the player of the match for his strong display, which saw him play a part in both goals, whilst Thomas Partey also showed plenty of positive signs in his first start of 2024.
Other players who have hardly featured recently were given a run out, with Reiss Nelson putting in a solid but unspectacular display, whilst Oleksandr Zinchenko earned mixed reviews as he had some brilliant moments and some equally frustrating ones.
Zinchenko lost his place in the side after Jakub Kiwior came in at left-back and did well enough to stay in the team when the Ukrainian was injured, and this was his first start since a victory over Liverpool in February.
The 27-year-old has now opened up on losing his spot, but did highlight how this could help Arsenal as a team.
Oleksandr Zinchenko opens up on lack of Arsenal gametime
Speaking via The Guardian, Zinchenko claimed that the increased competition for places in the Arsenal side, which has seen him lose his starting spot, is a positive going into the crucial part of the season.
“It is good for all of us and the team as well that we have good competition in each position,” Zinchenko stated of Kiwior taking his place.
“All of us need to fight and work hard to deserve this opportunity to play every single time.”
Can Oleksandr Zinchenko regain his Arsenal starting spot?
Kiwior has impressed at times at left-back, but it is still fairly clear that his natural position belongs in the centre, and Ben White has had to adapt his own game to help provide balance in the team with Kiwior starting.
Zinchenko plays in an inverted left-back role which Kiwior cannot, and in some games where Arsenal are dominant on the ball, he would be the more useful option.
However, his lack of fitness and consistent form means that Zinchenko may not be trusted in big games for now, and with Takehiro Tomiyasu also back from injury, it remains to be seen whether Mikel Arteta would prefer to stick with the formula which has worked so well in 2024, or bring one of his most experienced winners back into the team for the title run-in and Champions League knockouts.