Michael Owen makes claim about Arsenal duo Granit Xhaka and Oleksandr Zinchenko. The former Manchester United player have praised the Arsenal duo. He believes that both Granit Xhaka and Oleksandr Zinchenko confuse their opponents by their positional play. Zinchenko is a left-back on paper but if one sees his heat map, then it is clear that he is more of a midfielder than a left-back. Furthermore this allows Xhaka more room to move forward from his number 8 position. This cause issue with the Gunners wide forward players. Saka and Martinelli usually stretch the pitch and stay by the sidelines. This helps them to drag their opponents out from their usual position. Granit Xhaka and Oleksandr Zinchenko played an important role in Arsenal’s match against Crystal Palace. Fans got to see their positional play, which lead to their third goal which was scored by Xhaka.
Granit Xhaka and Oleksandr Zinchenko impresses Michael Owen with their style
The duo’s positional play is causing trouble to anybody who are currently facing the Gunners. This has brought out a new side of the former Arsenal captain. Furthermore the player is now one of the fan favorite in the squad. Michael Owen have praised, “I just think, these high wide players for Arsenal. But they give players a problem – it’s that combination play, that nervousness, they just unsettle defenders with their high positions. This is Xhaka and Zinchenko running into the picture. I just like how he almost fills Xhaka’s position for him. We have a little bit of a rotation. Zinchenko comes into that position, he actually goes in front of Xhaka, then all of a sudden, you have the left-back in a forward position and then look at that rotation.”
He further went on, “It’s the Arsenal rotation that provokes that lack of focus (from Crystal Palace), misunderstanding and it gives people problems on what to do. When it’s happening quickly, then it’s very, very difficult to defend. Arsenal are contributing to the fact that they are confusing every defense they are playing.”
The duo have been outstanding for the Gunners this season. They have played a vital role in the Arsenal squad for them to gain the success so far this season. Arsenal are currently on sitting at the top of the Premier League table. They might even win the league this season if they continue to perform like this.
For more sports-related updates, follow us on Twitter
