Journalist Art de Roche believes that Arsenal already have the long-term replacement for one struggling star on the books at the Emirates Stadium.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has endured a difficult season at Arsenal.
The left-back has had an injury-hit campaign, and has struggled to produce his best on a consistent basis when he has been fit. There is even now an argument that he has fallen behind Jakub Kiwior in the pecking order after the Pole was handed the start against Bayern Munich recently.
Zinchenko came back into the team to face Aston Villa on Sunday and once again fell short of expectations as Mikel Arteta’s side slumped to a 2-0 defeat against the Midlands outfit. This was a particularly damaging result as it meant that the North London club surrendered control of the Premier League title race to Manchester City.
Oleksandr Zinchenko let Arsenal down against Aston Villa
Zinchenko has always been something of a defensive liability. However, in the past, the 27-year-old has been able to offset his flaws in this regard with his ability on the ball. At his best, the £32 million former Manchester City man has been something of a bonus playmaker for the Gunners.
Against the Villans, though, and not for the first time this season, he was guilty of lapses in concentration and gave possession of the ball away in dangerous areas all too easily. Zinchenko was even booed by some Arsenal fans when he was hauled off by Arteta late on.
There is a strong argument that Arsenal need to invest in a new left-back in the upcoming summer transfer window.
However, Art de Roche believes that an in-house solution is possible in the shape of Jurrien Timber.
Can Jurrien Timber usurp Oleksandr Zinchenko at Arsenal?
Speaking on the Handbrake Off podcast, the reporter said, “it feels like Timber is definitely the next evolution up from Zinchenko at left-back, because, not only can he come into midfield, he’s also very strong defensively in one-on-ones…I think in the glimpses we saw of him, he’s also very good at ghosting forward into the final third, which is a really interesting and exciting prospect for whenever he’s back. I think Zinchenko, throughout this season, has been quite lucky in some senses to start games.”
Arsenal signed Timber from Ajax in the recent summer transfer window, and the versatile defender impressed in pre-season. However, the Dutchman was unfortunate enough to sustain a serious ACL injury in the opening game of the new Premier League campaign and has been sidelined ever since.
Timber is now back in training and expected to make his Arsenal return soon, but it would be unfair to expect him to make much of an impact in what remains of this season. It could be that next season, though, he emerges as the man to establish himself as the Gunners’ first-choice left-back.
Arsenal may be able to address their concerns in that part of the pitch without having to turn to the transfer window at all.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Arsenal ace Jurrien Timber from his height to four brothers