Ukraine International Oleksandr Zinchenko has claimed that two Arsenal players are fond of not passing the ball.
Zinchenko would be unavailable for Arsenal’s last game of the campaign at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Ukrainian defender has been a remarkable signing for Arsenal since he joined the side from Manchester City last summer.
Mikel Arteta has heaped his trust on Oleksandr Zinchenko to play his unique inverted left-back role.
The 26-year-old was instrumental in Arsenal’s chase for the Premier League title, unfortunately they bottled the title at the tail end of the season.
A poor run of form saw the Gunners relinquish their grip on the summit of the table to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.
The 26-year-old’s ability to insert himself into the midfield and pass the ball has given Arsenal a dynamic shape.
But Oleksandr Zinchenko has maintained that not everyone is as unselfish with the ball as him.
During a conversation with Ultimate Champions YouTube channel, Zinchenko said that Martin Odegaard and Rob Holding do not “pass the ball”.
The former Manchester City defender was asked to name the player he felt has had the highest touches during their 4-1 victory over Leeds United on the 1st of April.
Oleksandr Zinchenko selected Leandro Trossard but was not shocked to discover that it was Martin Odegaard.
The 26-year-old joked: “He has more! He never passes the ball. He never passes the ball.”
Zinchenko was afterwards told that Rob Holding also had an encounter in which he was the player to have the most touches.
He replied: “That’s what I’m saying, you never pass the ball!”
With regards to Martin Odegaard, his contribution to the Arsenal side cannot be underestimated, as he has been remarkable for the North London side this season.
Odegaard has netted 15 goals and made 7 assists in 36 appearances for the Gunners this season in the Premier League and was also instrumental in their push for the title.
Shockingly, the Norwegian has the 6th highest number of passes in the Arsenal side this campaign with 1640 passes so far.
He is just below Oleksandr Zinchenko in fifth with the Ukrainian accumulating about 1716 passes this campaign.
Meanwhile, Rob Holding does have a ridiculously low amount of passes this season as he has only accrued 438 this campaign, 500 passes less than shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale who had made 938 passes.
Holding however has featured in fewer games than Aaron Ramsdale, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Martin Odegaard.
The player with the highest number of passes this season for Arsenal is Brazilian defender Gabriel Megalhaes who has made 2,339 passes in 37 games so far.
Oleksandr Zinchenko made the switch from Manchester City alongside Gabriel Jesus as he sought for playing time after he was told by Guardiola that his playing time would be reduced.
Who is Oleksandr Zinchenko and when was he born?
Zinchenko is a Ukrainian professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Arsenal and the Ukraine national team.
He was born on the 15th of December 1996.
Is Oleksandr Zinchenko married?
In August 2020, Zinchenko got married to journalist Vlada Sedan.
Oleksandr Zinchenko’s children?
The couple have one daughter who was born in August 2021.
Oleksandr Zinchenko’s religion?
The 26-year-old is an Eastern Orthodox Christian.
His salary and net worth?
Oleksandr Zinchenko earns £150,000 per week at Arsenal and his net worth is estimated at around $6 – 7 million.
Oleksandr Zinchenko’s market value and contract length at Arsenal?
Zinchenko’s market value is €40 million and he penned a 4-year-deal with Arsenal in 2022 meaning his contract runs until at least the summer of 2026.
Clubs the Ukrainian has played for?
Oleksandr Zinchenko has represented just four clubs previously in his career namely; Ufa, Manchester City, PSV Eindhoven (on loan), and now Arsenal.
Oleksandr Zinchenko’s stats this season across all competitions?
Zinchenko has made 33 appearances for Arsenal scoring 1 goal and providing 2 assists.
