David Seaman has shared his thoughts on Arsenal’s recent blip (Picture: Seaman Says)
Arsenal legend David Seaman has defended struggling star Oleksandr Zinchenko and has named the real problem for Mikel Arteta this term.
The Gunners have suffered back-to-back defeats in the Premier League to West Ham and Fulham in what is a huge blow to their title chances.
With Arsenal having won just once in their last five top-flight games, Zinchenko has been among the players criticised.
Gunners hero Paul Merson recently named Zinchenko as the Arsenal star who makes him ‘worry’ over the Premier League title race.
Meanwhile, Ian Wright was critical of Zinchenko following Arsenal’s 1-1 draw at title rivals Liverpool last month.
Arteta was also forced to defend the player after his blunder against Wolves in early December.
Seaman, though, has refused to slam the Ukraine international left-back and feels Arsenal’s problems are elsewhere on the pitch.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has faced criticism over his recent performances (Picture: Getty)
Quizzed about recent criticism of Zinchenko and if Arsenal had made a mistake over loaning fellow left-back Kieran Tierney to Real Sociedad, Seaman told his podcast: ‘They’re different players.
‘Kieran Tierney gives you more in defence, Oleksandr Zinchenko gives you more in attack when he drops into midfield.
‘I know there’s been a lot of attention on him but it is about defending as a team. I hate singling players out.
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‘When you look at the chances Arsenal have created… a lot of chances in those games around Christmas. What is it, 56 shots in three games? To have that many shots and have two goals in reply… that’s where the problem is: the scoring of goals.
‘Defensively, I am okay with that [and the] midfield but the strikers have lost their way a bit. It’s a confidence thing.
‘Eddie Nketiah didn’t have many chances against Fulham. Gabriel Jesus had a few against West Ham but it is just not happening. Hopefully this is just a blip which has come earlier in the season rather than right at the end.’
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