Arsenal starter’s position under threat as Gunners look to sign replacement | OneFootball

Arsenal are looking to sign a new left-back this summer, with no significant talks ongoing over a new contract for current starter Oleksandr Zinchenko.

James McNicholas reports for The Athletic that despite Oleksandr Zinchenko approaching the final two years of his contract this summer, Arsenal are yet to open contract talks over an extension for the defender.

McNicholas writes that the Gunners have a left-back on their summer transfer shortlist, suggesting their long-term plan for Zinchenko is at the very least uncertain.

Arsenal have a lot of potential left-back options in the squad already, particularly when including loanees.

The pursuit of another suggests the club will be looking to upgrade on their current crop of players, as there certainly doesn’t seem to be much need to sign another backup.

Zinchenko has made 33 appearances for Arsenal this season, and he’s clearly considered a starter by Mikel Arteta when he’s fit. But therein lies the first problem – the uncertainty over the Ukraine international’s fitness.

Zinchenko has had two fairly significant calf injuries this season, after having multiple calf problems in 2022/23 as well.

To have multiple instances of the same injury in both of his seasons at Arsenal suggests a problem that isn’t simply going to go away in 2024/25.

Then there’s the fact that the call to make Zinchenko a guaranteed starter is becoming increasingly questionable. There are many in the Arsenal fanbase at the moment who view the 27-year-old as the defensive weak link, whilst he also doesn’t seem to be adding as much in the build-up as he used to.

If Jurrien Timber had been fit all season, it would have been interesting to see whether Zinchenko played as often as he has done. Timber had started the season playing at left-back in Zinchenko’s absence, and he may well have claimed that spot on a more permanent basis if not for his own injury.

With Arsenal now pursuing yet another left-back in the transfer market, and Timber set to return to fitness in the coming weeks, Zinchenko’s starting role is evidently under threat.