FPL

FPL new signings: Will Zinchenko be ‘out of position’ at Arsenal?

Oleksandr Zinchenko‘s (£5.0m) move to Arsenal has seen his Fantasy Premier League (FPL) ownership climb past the 10% mark.

As a result, the Ukraine international is now a more popular purchase than Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) and every other Gunners defender in FPL.

Is Arsenal’s £30m new signing worthy of the newfound Fantasy interest, then? We’ll assess his appeal in this Moving Target piece.

WHAT PLAYER AND MANAGER HAVE SAID

“He can play in both (defence and midfield). He was a natural No. 10 early in his career and we converted him into a left-back which can do a lot of things that we want in our way of playing.

“That versatility is something that is going to be important for the team because we have players in that position who are more specific full-back so I’m really happy.” – Mikel Arteta

“He’s a player that I personally know really well and continued to follow him after my time at Manchester City. Alex is a high-quality player who will give us options and versatility. It’s not only about the positions he can play but as well, the versatility he will give us in attack and defence. Alex is a person with great human qualities and character, and I’m delighted that everyone has made this huge effort to bring Alex to the club.” – Mikel Arteta

“[My best position is] wherever the manager is going to see me on the pitches. It’s the simple answer but it’s true, even if the manager tells me one day I need to be goalkeeper, I will be there.

Yes, we spoke about my role in this team, but I would like to keep it private and then we are going to see.” – Oleksandr Zinchenko

“He was desperate to play and I knew that. It was a maximum 45 minutes but you could see straight away he was comfortable. He understands everything that I want, he understands the process and I thought he had a really good game.” – Mikel Arteta after Oleksandr Zinchenko’s debut v Chelsea

ZINCHENKO’S HISTORY

SeasonFPL pointsMinutes playedStartsSub appsGoals scoredAssistsClean sheetsBonusStarting priceEnd price
2021/225910441050454£5.5£5.3
2020/216914731550085£5.5£5.5
2019/204912711360061£5.5£5.2
2018/194411511400391£5.0£4.7
2017/1816530620030£5.0£5.0
2016/1700000000£5.5£5.3

Never starting more than 15 Premier League games in a season and not stringing together more than four successive league appearances since the beginning of 2019/20, we haven’t really been able to take a sustained look at Zinchenko as an FPL asset.

The complete absence of goals is notable, while the assist count is modest, too – although four of those did arrive in 2021/22 from just 10 starts and five substitute appearances.

Virtually all of his City run-outs came at left-back, with opportunities to shine in midfield few and far between.

That wasn’t the case at his first club, Ufa, where the bulk of his 31 Russian top-flight appearances came in either a central, wide or attacking midfield role. Two goals and four assists came from those showings before he left, as a teenager, to join City.

And as for international duty, the Ukraine captain is almost exclusively used in central midfield.

A more eye-catching eight goals have arrived from his 52 caps, with his attacking potential showcased in last summer’s Euro 2020 quarter-final against Sweden.

WHERE WILL HE FIT IN AT ARSENAL?

Left-back or a left-sided number 8?

We’ll probably see Zinchenko in both positions during his time in north London but at the moment, the strong indications are that he will start the season at left-back.

Kieran Tierney (£5.0m) is now back in training but the injury-prone Scot has missed a big chunk of pre-season, featuring for only half an hour against Nurnberg on July 8 before fitness issues caused him to disappear from view again.

Zinchenko was indeed used at left-back in the thrashing of Chelsea, impressing in his 45-minute showing with his passing in particular.

There is, in fact, one more key quote we haven’t brought you yet from Arteta, which the Arsenal boss delivered a week ago.

“His main position is left-back but within that position and within the formation that we have he can alter and occupy different spaces on the pitch and this is the main quality he has.” – Mikel Arteta

What Arteta said above about Zinchenko occupying “different spaces” was evident against Chelsea: on some occasions he would tuck into central midfield or occupy the half-spaces, on others he would stick wider and bomb forward when left-winger Gabriel Martinelli (£6.0m) drifted infield.

Encouragingly, there were sights of Zinchenko in the opposition box, be it an underlapping run or some back-post loitering when play was being built up on the right.

With existing left-back options Tierney and Nuno Tavares (£4.5m) more at home hugging the touchline, Zinchenko’s arrival allows Arteta the option of further emulating his mentor Pep Guardiola’s ‘inverted full-back’ tactics.

“Zinchenko’s versatility has been particularly beneficial given the way Guardiola uses his full-backs. The City manager looked to invert his full-backs from the very early stages of his tenure at the Etihad, which his former City No 2 Arteta has attempted to replicate since getting the Arsenal job in December 2019, but mostly just with his right-backs. 

“Takehiro Tomiyasu has emerged as the most comfortable aiding build-up play in more central areas of the pitch but Hector Bellerin and Ainsley Maitland-Niles have also tried to meet their manager’s demands over the past two and a half years.” – Art de Roche/Mark Carey, The Athletic

When we do see Zinchenko in midfield, it’ll likely be at the expense of Granit Xhaka (£5.0m), whose limitations as a number eight even Arteta admitted to last season. The reported pursuit of Lyon’s Lucas Paqueta, however, suggests that the Arsenal boss wants even more options in the engine room for his dream 4-3-3 set-up.

ZINCHENKO IN DEFENCE: THE STATS

Who played the most minutes over the March international break?

657 Comments Post a Comment
  1. One Man
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Guess who will have the most points in FPL after gw6 ?

    1. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Me?

      1. Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Get innnn

    2. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      One of Magnus Carlsen, Fabio Borges or Poseidon

    3. SynergyX
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      U have they honour of meeting him rn

  2. puhd
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Here goes my team! Any thoughts much appreciated.

    Emerson (Gazz)
    TAA Cash Dias (Tripper Verstergard)
    Salah Madisson Martinelli Rash Neto
    Haaland Jesus (Greenwood)

    Thanks and good luck to everyone!

    1. ddp
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Vestergaard doesn't play, he's a backup bench warmer.

  3. Ser Davos
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Championship's on!!

  4. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this badboy? Three premiums without Salah

    Sanchez
    Trent Cancelo Zinch Trippier
    Son Diaz Martinelli Bailey
    Kane Haaland

    (Steele Andreas Neco Plange)

    1. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      different and interesting. Could be inspired

      Forget Sanchez though. Doesn't even make dullard status

      Raya/Henderson are the best keepers I think. Meslier/Leeds unknown

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Is Raya still first choice? They signed a new keeper, Thomas Strakosha
        Henderson would mean a double up since Neco is there..
        Will consider it.. thanks!

    2. puhd
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I like it. Maybe change the goalie?

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Gonna look in to it.. cheers mate.

    3. West End Exile
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Meslier in for Sanchez?

  5. @Bryan
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on Callum Wilson? I think i'm settling into a 3-4-3 as it is my comfort blanket, one big striker (Kane or Haaland), Jesus and then the third spot is a shootout between Mitro and Wilson.

    Wilson is one of those players who I tend to just slot in when fit and let him tick over until he picks up an injury. Fixtures aren't great, but I know what I get with him.

    Mitro fixtures also not great, but 1m cheaper and I expect him to also tick over.

    1. Tomerick
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Too expensive and very likely to get injured.

      1. puhd
        • 9 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        This

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      You can't compare Wilson and Mitro historically ; one scores for fun, the other couldn't hit a barn door in the Prem. IF Wilson stays fit . . early fixtures aren't bad at all and Newcastle will be scoring a lot more than Fulham.

    3. EugeMurts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Wilson is quality and will score pints when fit

  6. George Sillett
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Anyone know who is first choice GK at Brentford?

    1. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      It's definitely Raya

      1. Ser Davos
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        often when there's a seed of doubt about a 4.5's starting place they then end up the best option eg Begovic v Sorensen 12-13

      2. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Thanks

        1. Ser Davos
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          You're welcome. Source: Brentford Director of Football spoke to an FPL YTber

          1. mox81
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Thanks, also Raya is a great keeper, the question marks baffle me. That said, Ramsdale for 0.5m more? Sold.

  7. Bartowski
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Don't think this bodes well for our Martial Plan:

    https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1553087813075320834

    1. Grande Tubarão
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Did he just… call himself ‘the king’?

      1. Bartowski
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Yes, I'm afraid so. I'm going to rule out any Man U player on the basis of that alone. Can you actually imagine having to deal with that...

        1. Grande Tubarão
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Haha true!

    2. zon
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Or United plans

    3. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      So little Utd action in my drafts I don't know how their kit shows up on FPL

  8. Ser Davos
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Blimey, Burnley look a bit bare

  9. navraj01
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    thoughts on this team 442
    ederson
    taa james trippier cancelo
    salah bailey sancho odegaard
    haaland jesus

    1. puhd
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Not sure about your mids except for Salah of course

  10. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    What are your stubborn picks—players that are non-negotiable for you just because, even though people might advise you against it?

    Mine is Bruno Guimarães. Eye test, and an irrational hunch saying he'll do well again this season.

    1. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Struggling to drop Vardy.

    2. WhilePaquetàGentlyWe…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      same

    3. West End Exile
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Saka - he's been in every draft, something won't let me leave him out.

    4. tom66
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Sancho....yes Rashford is 1.0 cheaper but I think Sancho is looking decent

    5. Brewstercat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Maddison for me! Just a hunch he’ll go big at home v Brentford

      1. Brewstercat
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        But watch me transfer him out 5 mins before deadline

        1. Geraaaard
          • 4 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Zinchenko!

    6. DonaldDrapier
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Kevin De Bruyne. As for points per minutes played he is no worse than anyone. Now he is fresh and fit and possibly playing closer to goal.

      Going without Salah as he is so expensive and locks out a valuable Liverpool slot!

  11. TM44
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this team?

    Raya

    TAA cancelo Williams

    Rashford salah sancho Diaz Martinelli

    Kane Jesus

    Bench: forster, greenwood, vestergard, patterson

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I'd want to upgrade one of those 4m defenders. Rash and/or Sancho look like the fall guys.

      1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Yeah, I would not double up on United midfield.

    2. Brewstercat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Agree - I go for Utd and still wouldn’t double up on our mids. You could drop Rashford to Neto and upgrades Williams

  12. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    If Chelsea CS tonight a lot of defences will change hehe

    1. mox81
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Fingers crossed, they've looked a right mess so far

  13. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Wonder how well this team would do:

    Meslier (Klaesson)
    VvD - Trippier - Zinchenko - Darlot - Neco
    KdB - Salah - Bailey (Andreas, Arter)
    Kane - Haaland (Plange)

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Dalot, even

  14. AntarcticGorilla
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Which 13m combo?

    A) Zinchenko (or other 5m) + Diaz
    B) Robertson + Martinelli

    I feel like B is objectively better but A has more flexible price points...

    1. Die Hard
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

  15. Gozzys Galacticos
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    What do you think?

    Pope Henderson
    Cash Tomiyasu Perisic TAA Neco
    Martinelli KDB Guimaraes Da Silva Andreas
    Kane Haaland Jesus

    1. Geraaaard
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      No cancelo?

  16. Geraaaard
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    If you could only pick one for your fpl team,
    Son or Haaland?

  17. vassiriki
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    guys im taking a very different approach compared to the template teams and i need opinions. any suggestions would be welcome

    travers-rodak
    james-taa-cancelo-robertson-williams
    de bruyne-son-odegaard-bailey-pereira
    jesus-martial-greenwood

    im just not very sure on martial but no salah is due to no mane. i believe manes penetration and his created disturbance on the defenders was extremely beneficial for salah. i believe without him, liverpools attack will be effected (at least in the beginning). plus son and a fit de bruyne can quite catch salah this season imho.

  18. givvy predictions
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 8 months ago

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