“He had 101 touches, 5 tackles and 3 key passes, he didn’t even allow Crystal Palace players breath with every single of his touches”- Arsenal Legend Patrick Vieira says £30M Arsenal player has been firing from all cylinders again after Dubai trip- Not Martinelli, Not Magalhaes and not Trosaard.
The game saw Gabriel Magalhaes scoring the first goal with a header just 11 minutes into the match. Dean Henderson’s own goal doubled Arsenal’s lead at the 37-minute mark. Leandro Trossard added a third goal shortly before the hour, and Gabriel Martinelli sealed the victory with two goals in injury time.
The importance of rest and a well-planned training camp was underscored by the notable improvement in the players’ fitness and mindset. Among the standout performers was Oleksandr Zinchenko, a £30 million player, who particularly benefited from the winter break.
Zinchenko, who had shown some errors in previous performances, displayed a remarkable turnaround against Palace. His contribution played a pivotal role in overpowering the opposition, especially in the midfield.
The 27-year-old exhibited improved composure in his passing, with a particularly noteworthy delivery to set up Leandro Trossard in the first half. His stats for the day were impressive, with 101 touches of the ball, five won tackles, five ground duels, four aerial duels, and one key pass, according to Sofascore.
Zinchenko’s indispensability was evident when Arsenal dominated possession, showcasing his ability to contribute significantly to the team’s success. While he may have vulnerabilities in counter-attacking situations, his overall performance in games like today’s was commendable.
Looking ahead, Arsenal’s next challenge is on January 30, where they will face Nottingham Forest at 7:30 pm. The positive momentum gained from this convincing victory will undoubtedly boost the team’s confidence as they continue their campaign.