“He’s the bad stone in this Arsenal team, he has become a liability and if Arteta is not careful, he will lose the PL battle because of this player”- Arsenal Legend Thierry Henry mentions the Arsenal star who looks like the ‘problem’ and struggled alot during Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Luton Town last night

“He’s the bad stone in this Arsenal team, he has become a liability and if Arteta is not careful, he will lose the PL battle because of this player”- Arsenal Legend Thierry Henry mentions the Arsenal star who looks like the ‘problem’ and struggled alot during Arsenal’s 2-0 win against Luton Town last night

Arsenal’s Victory Over Luton: Henry’s Insight and Zinchenko’s Struggles

In a commanding display of football prowess, Arsenal secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over Luton, dominating possession with 58% and unleashing 13 shots on goal compared to Luton’s meager five attempts. Yet amidst the sea of confident performances, one Arsenal player stood out for the wrong reasons.

Thierry Henry, the revered Arsenal legend, keenly observed the match, noting moments of struggle for Oleksandr Zinchenko against a Luton side fighting relegation. Making his first appearance since a triumph over Liverpool in February, the Ukrainian international appeared rusty and vulnerable, with Andros Townsend exploiting his weaknesses.

During a pivotal moment, Gabriel Magalhaes was caught admonishing Zinchenko for leaving Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu unmarked, a lapse that highlighted the defender’s difficulty in containing the opposition’s attacks. Henry, providing live commentary on Sky Sports, acknowledged Luton’s tenacity and Townsend’s ability to unsettle Zinchenko on the flank.

Despite Zinchenko’s recent return from a calf injury, his performance fell below expectations for a player of his caliber, especially against a team languishing in the lower ranks of the league table. Jakub Kiwior, who admirably filled the void during Zinchenko’s absence, is poised to retain his starting position against formidable opponents like Bayern Munich in the upcoming Champions League clash.

While Zinchenko’s struggle against Townsend might not be ideal preparation for facing Bayern’s formidable attackers such as Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala, Kiwior’s presence on the left flank has bolstered Arsenal’s defensive solidity. Notably, with Kiwior in the lineup, Arsenal became the first team since 2021 to keep a clean sheet at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City.

For Arsenal’s number 15, Zinchenko’s underwhelming performance offers a sigh of relief, ensuring his continued prominence within the team structure. However, the challenge remains for Zinchenko to regain his form and contribute significantly to Arsenal’s ambitions, particularly in high-stakes encounters on the European stage.