Since the Ukrainian joined Arsenal two years ago, he has been integral to the way they build out from the back, due to his ability to tuck into midfield from left-back.
It is a complex role - Kieran Tierney this week described it as "alien" to him - and it is only this season that Takehiro Tomiyasu has truly emerged as an alternative because his positional play and efficiency on the ball has progressed so much.
But with Tomiyasu and Zinchenko both out for last Sunday's 6-0 win at West Ham, Arteta found a new solution.
The Arsenal manager essentially flipped his system, tasking Ben White with the job of moving into midfield from right-back. On the other flank, Jakub Kiwior was asked to operate as a conventional left-back. It proved a masterstroke.
The switch brought the best out of Bukayo Saka, who finished the game with two goals and the man-of-thematch award.
This story is from the February 14, 2024 edition of Evening Standard.
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This story is from the February 14, 2024 edition of Evening Standard.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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