Arsenal must finally get rid of the new Zinchenko

Are Arsenal’s hopes of winning the Premier League over? Well, not completely, but Sunday’s loss to Manchester City feels like a crushing blow.

Mikel Arteta’s side have worked hard to reach the top of the Premier League. They have been part of the majority of the campaign, but it could all end in tears.

Just a few weeks ago, the Gunners were being talked about as a potential quadruple champion. As well as the Champions League trophy, the domestic treble was also at stake.

Well, they capitulated on either side of the international break. They have won just one of their last six games. They may still be top of the league, but that lead will be relinquished if Josep Guardiola’s side beat Burnley in midweek.

I really felt it was a pivotal moment against City and the overall performance was better than against Bournemouth a week ago, but still not surprising. Perhaps the blame lies at the feet of Kai Havertz?

Why is Havertz responsible for Arsenal’s loss against Man City?

In the 16th minute, Rayan Cherki scored a wonderful opening goal for City. He picked up the ball, danced past some Arsenal players, and found the goal in spectacular fashion.

Just two minutes later, the Gunners hit back. The difference in the quality of each goal could not be greater. Cherki’s shot was one of the best in the Premier League this season, but Havertz’s equalizer was one of the strangest.

The German pressed City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and it was the Italian who was left with egg on his face. Havertz intercepted the ball and it flew into the back of the goal from close range.

It was a defining moment of the match and of Havertz’s career. He spent much of last year injured and was given a rare chance to start ahead of Victor Gokeres in the offensive line.

The £65m deal has given his team-mates an excellent performance. We all know he can do it. His hold-up play was certainly better than what Gokeres has given Arsenal since joining last summer.

Still, the difference in finish between the two was clear. Havertz missed three big chances set by Opta. On another day, he could have scored a hat trick and almost won the team title.

It was in the second half that the former Chelsea player missed two clear chances. The first came from Arsenal winning the ball in transition and pushing forward with pace. Martin Odegaard slipped the ball to the German. Even though it was a bit too much, Havertz should have scored the goal. Instead, it was rejected by Donnarumma.

Perhaps the biggest chance came with just a little time remaining. Leandro Trossard swung the ball in from the right and it hit Havertz on the head about eight yards from goal. He headed his way, toying with the internet. it was of chance, of This is our chance to get Arsenal back into pole position and win the title.

Arteta threw himself to the ground in disbelief. Arsenal once created many chances but were unable to convert them.

However, if they are looking for an upgrade this summer, Havertz is not the only one to look at.

£30m Arsenal star has to go ahead of Kai Havertz

Sunday’s improved level of chance creation was not surprising, given that both Ebelesi Eze and Odegaard started.

Due to injuries, it was only the fourth time all season that the two started together. You wonder what this year would have been like if both had been featured more often.

Eze started on the left wing, with Odegaard coming in from the center. However, opinions were divided on the club captain’s performance.

In many ways, the Norwegian showed Arsenal what they were missing for much of the campaign. Against City, he was Arsenal’s best player in many important metrics.

There is no doubt that the key ability to create chances is something that Arteta’s team lacks. When Havertz missed a one-on-one in the 45th minute of the second half, it was Odegaard who should have provided the assist.

What was important was that the captain led the press from the front. Having a creative midfielder on the flank definitely seems to improve a team’s pressing. Odegaard gives orders and usually follows them. Well, unless you’re Gabriel Martinelli taking part in Manchester City’s build-up to the winner.

However, despite all the advantages that Odegaard offers, there are two key statistics that are most important for a player in his position. Both goals and assists.

Arteta’s captain can probably only watch in awe as the aforementioned Cherki comes back to life after the run-in, dancing a merry jig through Arsenal’s defense en route to his fourth goal in three games.

Sparkling toes, quick feet and ruthless action are all things Odegaard has been missing in recent years.

The truth is that Arsenal need more goals and they are not getting them from the former Real Madrid starlet.

It now feels like a long time ago since the attacking midfielder had a season like Cherki’s in 2022-23. No midfielder in the Premier League scored more than 15 goals this season.

Since then, however, Odegaard’s work has suffered a surprising setback. Last season, he scored just three goals in 30 league games. This season has been plagued with injuries, and the 27-year-old has scored just one goal.

If you look at Cherki you can see what Arsenal are missing in that area of ​​the pitch. There’s a good chance Eze can do that in his second season, but regardless, the north Londoner will need to procure an upgrade.

Arteta has proven to be ruthless with players who have plateaued in this team. Examples abound. Take a look at Aaron Ramsdale’s Emile Smith Rowe. More recent examples include Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Like Odegaard, the full-back attracted a lot of attention when he arrived at the club. Arteta has built his team around Odegaard and Zinchenko, both players who have shown great technical safety on the ball.

Still, I feel like I’ve reached the end of the road with club captain. Like Zinchenko, he has reached a plateau at Arsenal. The club has progressed to a level where they need more quality in that position.

Once an important part of the team and a reliable player for Arteta, the Ukrainian was finally let go after a series of injuries. Odegaard may be unlikely to move, but Arsenal definitely need to do it now.