Arsenal legend Wright 'worried' about star as summer transfer looms

Tom Weber

• 15 Mar 2024 10:34 GMT
• 4 min read

Ian Wright has admitted to worrying about Oleksandr Zinchenko's form amid transfer interest in the Ukrainian.

The versatile defender has struggled to win back his place in Mikel Arteta's side after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a calf injury. Only a substitute in Arsenal's recent games, Zinchenko has displayed clear signs of rustiness and a lack of match sharpness.

His lack of rhythm was particularly evident in the Champions League clash against Porto, in which the Gunners needed penalties to advance. Usually renowned for his ability in possession, Zinchenko looked shaky against the Portuguese giants and this is a worry, according to Arsenal legend Ian Wright.

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The Ukrainian has recently been in the news after FootballTransfers exclusively revealed that the Gunners are willing to entertain summer bids for the 27-year-old. Newcastle United and Bayern Munich are just two of his admirers, though they will not have been impressed with his recent showing.

Wright worried about Zinchenko

“Do you know what’s happened," Wright said on his Wrighty's House podcast, "I think, with Zinchenko? Because he’s now kind of eased out of the picture at the moment with what we’re doing."

“The times he has played… and the reason why the crowd are a bit impatient with what we want from him… because we want him to come on, we want him to keep the ball and progress it and not give it away. There was a couple of times, and I don’t know if it’s rust or if it’s because he hasn’t played, I don’t know if it’s because he’s come on in the game and the game is quite hectic for him, but he gave the ball away a few times… and it’s f***ing scary now."

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“I’m feeling it, I think the fans might be feeling it as well because one of the telltale signs with a player when they’re feeling a little bit frustrated is the groans instantly. It’s not like, ‘OK, let him warm up into it’. As soon as he gave the first one away they were like, ‘Oh!’, because there is so much on the line."

“He’s got to come on and he’s got to be that one that keeps it f***ing composed for us and keeps the ball – even if you have to do that silly thing that I hate seeing players pass it to each other – bam, bam, bam, bam, bam. But I’m worried about that.”