£30m Arsenal player may have just saved his career with ‘brilliant’ display vs Bayer Leverkusen

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Arsenal have taken a huge step forward ahead of their season opener against Wolves next week with an impressive display on Wednesday night.

Mikel Arteta will have been one happy man with what he saw from his Arsenal side at the Emirates against Bayer Leverkusen.

The Gunners secured themselves a 4-1 victory on Wednesday against the Bundesliga champions in what was a dominant display.

Now, just over a week separates Arsenal from their first game of the campaign against Wolves with the north Londoners looking in good shape.

Arteta made some changes in the second half bit it was the first half display which blew the visitors away.

And there was one player who may have just put in a real claim to remain with Arsenal over the coming weeks.

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Oleksandr Zinchenko wowed against Bayer Leverkusen

With Jurrien Timber having picked up an injury issue, Oleksandr Zinchenko was handed the starting spot at left-back.

And he did not take long to impress Arteta on the sideline as he scored the opening goal within the opening 10 minutes.

And it was some strike from the full-back who cannoned in an effort from the edge of the box into the far corner.

It was a strike which the Arsenal attackers would have been impressed with and was certainly the goal of the game.

Here is a summary of Zinchenko’s display vs Leverkusen…

• 45 minutes played
• 1 goal
• 4/5 ground duels won
• 3 tackles
• 1 interception
• 81% pass accuracy

Arsenal could sell Oleksandr Zinchenko this summer

Although the Gunners have not done much in the market, they have been able to acquire the signature of Riccardo Calafiori.

The Italy international is likely to compete at left-back along with Timber which is causing serious competition for places on the left side of the defence.

And this has led to the expectation that Zinchenko could be sold by Arsenal this summer as he may well be surplus to requirements.

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However, Zinchenko was hailed as ‘brilliant’ by the Daily Express following his display against the German champions as he put in a really impressive display.

The £30m defender really showed Arteta just what he is capable of.

Jurrien Timber’s injury record may save Zinchenko

Having missed basically all of last season, Arsenal’s 2023 summer signing finds himself one week away from the start of the new campaign with another issue.

Of course, Arsenal now have Calafiori to choose from, but if Timber is going to struggle again with injuries, Arteta is going to need a backup plan.

And that could well be the Ukraine international considering he has played 30+ games in both of his seasons in north London.

Food for thought for Arteta after an encouraging night at the Emirates.