1
Attempted Dribbles (Successful)
2 (0)
Key Passes
0
Big Chances Missed
1
Long Balls (Accurate)
2 (0)
Crosses
0
All Stats via Sofascore
It wasn't the best of showings from the Fukuoka-born ace and his lack of defensive solidity and offensive quality could see him lose his spot in the team for Saturday's game against a free-scoring Bournemouth side who cannot be underestimated.
Who could replace Takehiro Tomiyasu
There are really only two options to replace the 6 foot 2 titan at the moment, as while Jurrien Timber is making impressive strides in his recovery, starting a game for the U21s on the weekend, he's simply not going to be ready to start in a must-win first team game this week. That said, there is every chance he could be the starting left-back next season.
Oleksandr-Zinchenko-Arsenal
So, with that in mind, who is Arteta likely to pick out of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior? Well, the generally accepted line of thinking is that the former is the far more offensively gifted full-back, while the latter can offer the Gunners more solidity at the back.
However, with how poorly the Poland international dealt with Bayern Munich in the Champions League and how shaky he looked against Wolverhampton Wanderers at times - receiving a 5/10 from the Standard's Simon Collings for his display - is this entirely accurate?
Well, when looking at their underlying numbers from this season, there is only one winner, and according to FBref, it's the Ukrainian.
The former Manchester City ace produces far more progressive passes and carries, maintains a higher passing accuracy while making more passes, produces more shot and goal-creating actions, makes and wins more tackles, makes more interceptions, recovers the ball more often and miscontrols the ball less frequently, all per 90.
Zinchenko vs Kiwior
Stats per 90
Zinchenko
Kiwior
Progressive Passes
11.5
5.31
Progressive Carries
2.21
0.41
Passing Accuracy
88.0%
83.3%
Attempted Passes
82.1
56.2
Shot-Creating Actions
3.00
1.29
Goal-Creating Actions
0.28
0.27
Tackles
2.58
1.90
Tackles Won
1.50
0.96
Blocks
0.97
0.82
Clearances
1.29
2.18
Successful Take-Ons
0.32
0.34
Ball Recoveries
5.62
3.06
Aerial Duels Won
1.29
1.36
All Stats via FBref for the 2023/24 Season
In his defence, Kiwior wins more aerial duels, makes more clearances, and is marginally more successful in his take-ons, but overall, it's hard to see an area, be that defensive or offensive, in which he comes out ahead.
Ultimately, with Tomiyasu's less-than-stellar performance on Sunday and the likelihood that Arsenal are going to have much more of the ball on Saturday, it would make sense to start Zinchenko in his place, and if the former midfielder performs well, the Japanese star could see his place in the starting XI slip through his fingers.
Arsenal-Trossard-Partey-Gabriel
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