Oleksandr Zinchenko completed a £30million transfer from Manchester City to Arsenal last summer and has become Mikel Arteta's first choice left-back at the Emirates Stadium
Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko has sent a message to fans following the 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. The Ukraine international was heavily criticised for his performance and role in the Reds' late equaliser.
Trent Alexander-Arnold - who was involved in a bust-up with Granit Xhaka earlier in the match - nutmegged Zinchenko before crossing the ball towards Roberto Firmino, with the Brazilian heading home an equaliser in the 87th minute. The Ukrainian defender was then hooked by Mikel Arteta and replaced by Kieran Tierney.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher ripped into Zinchenko for the way he failed to deal with Alexander-Arnold in the build-up to Firmino's goal. "I can't get Zinchenko out of my head," Carragher claimed.
"The league title's on the line, you've got to be more aggressive. That can't happen.
"There's got to be more intensity from Zinchenko. It's almost like he's training and doesn't want the ball to go through his legs," the Liverpool icon added.
Carragher's fellow Sky Sports pundit Roy Keane echoed a similar sentiment, as he said: "You think about the modern full-back and the obsession is how good they are going forward. I think they have lacked that real pride in defending.
"Zinchenko had to get down low. It’s all far too easy - especially if you’re going to win titles."
Zinchenko was at fault for the equaliser as the Liverpool star nutmegged him before setting up Firmino's equaliser and has now sent a message to fans on Instagram. The Ukraine international posted: "Not the best day at the office but we go again.
"Thanks for support *praise emoji* together until the very end #COYG."
It remains to be seen whether Arteta will choose to drop Zinchenko for the game against West Ham and start Tierney or keep the Ukrainian in defence and give him the chance to redeem himself.
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