Originally Posted by
Mac76
the idea he's an improvement doesn't really add up when you look at the points return
Zinchenko has meaningfully contributed (minutes-on-the-pitch-wise) to all but 8 PL fixtures ths season.
in those 8 games, playing with either Tomi or Tierney in a more proper left-back position, we averaged 2.75 points
in the other 18 where Zin played most or all the game, we average 2.28 points
OK, there are other factors, e.g. the games he didn't meaningly feature in were also when we had Jesus, but still no-one can argue we get more points with him than without him
and MO's point about his ineffectiveness against low-block sides is important because it shows how Arteta won't consider playing a proper left back who can break forward and stretch the defence like, err, Tierney can be so good at - that would have been a good plan B against Newcastle or Brentford for example
if Tierney does go to Newcastle just watch him take teams (including us probably) apart next season while we have to watch Zinchenko dawdle and mess up every week