‘Might not be a popular opinion’: Pundit says Newcastle man has been better than £32m Arsenal star this term

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Anton Ferdinand believes that Dan Burn should get into the team of the season in the Premier League ahead of Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko due to the improvement Newcastle have made this term.

The pundit was speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel as the end of the campaign looms.

Of course, it has been a remarkable season for both Arsenal and Newcastle. The Gunners remain in contention to win the Premier League, while the Magpies are on course to join them in the Champions League next year.

It was Oleksandr Zinchenko who got the nod for the EA team of the season following his superb first year at the Emirates. But despite his success, it is fair to say that the £32 million Ukrainian has been coming for some criticism of late.

Ferdinand picks Burn ahead of Zinchenko in Premier League team of the season

Zinchenko had a poor afternoon in Arsenal’s win at Newcastle at the weekend. He is not as good defensively as Kieran Tierney. And there are times when he appears to be something of a weak link in the backline.

Dan Burn meanwhile, has been incredibly consistent for Eddie Howe’s side. The 31-year-old has kept Matt Targett out of the team for the majority of the season, despite playing out of position.

And with Newcastle boasting the best defensive record in the division this term, Anton Ferdinand believes that Burn should get the nod ahead of the Arsenal star.

“But in terms of consistency, playing well week-in, week-out, with and without the ball, Dan Burn’s been better,” he told Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel.

“That’s why it might not be a popular opinion. But I’m just saying Newcastle have gone from a mid-table team to being in the top-four because of their backline. And he’s been significant in that.”

Zinchenko probably has been slightly unfairly judged because of the standards he set earlier in the season. He has been such a game-changing signing for Arsenal.

But like Dan Burn, he is not playing in his best position when he starts at left-back. He is a midfielder by trade, as shown by how good he has been when he drifts in field when Arsenal are going forward.

Both have been absolutely outstanding for their respective sides. So it would be impossible to strongly argue with either being named in the team.