The Breakdown | Zinchenko on how to play as an inverted full-back

After completing an impressive first season at the club, Oleksandr Zinchenko sat down with Adrian Clarke to shed some light on his unique role in our team, as well as many other interesting tactical points from the campaign.
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Enjoy match highlights, training and behind the scenes to get closer to the likes of Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe, Vivianne Miedema, Gabriel Jesus, Alex Zinchenko, Leah Williamson, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Kim Little, Gabriel Martinelli, Aaron Ramsdale, Beth Mead, Ben White and more.
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Arsenal Football Club were formed in 1886 and amassed 13 League titles, 14 FA Cups. Some of their greatest players include: Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Tony Adams, Ian Wright, Robert Pires, Liam Brady, Patrick Vieira, Cliff Bastin and Charlie George.

[@nikelombambo]

I would LOVE a sit down with Thomas Partey discussing that 6 role. I know he fell away towards the end of the season but this was by far his best season for Arsenal and he was untouchable for a large part of this season!!

[@Callumh1113]

Might have to do that through a glass screen from next season

[@lshanny]

how about a sit down with jorginho AND partey and jorginho can explain how to play football to partey

[@Ebuka957]

@@lshanny hahahaha...

[@Sadiq111]

@@lshanny You have a short memory. Partey fell off when Saliba got injured.

[@Ebuka957]

I wouldn't call it fall away... he was off for 3 games all season... the expection is mancity. Cos they mancity.

[@cobbysparks9891]

He tries to give credit to his teammates at every opportunity. Class!

[@Anthony_AFC]

Zinchenko is a very intelligent player. What he did this season played a big part of why we challenged. Also made big mistakes that cost us but dont mistake zini he is a gifted baller.

[@daveprice790]

Just not a left-back!

[@thierryhenry674]

He is a modern inverted left back.

[@marufatoyebi2519]

Name one “big mistake” he made

[@JuppyJuupp]

@@marufatoyebi2519 The Liverpool goal when he got megged

[@Hakeem-20]

@@JuppyJuupp That's not a mistake

[@k1rellzy452]

People are forgetting how good and revolutionary zinchenko has been for this arsenal team this szn and are blinded by the last month. He’s clear of tierney in the way we want to play and people need to respect how good he has made this arsenal team.

[@mohamedkyog14]

Well said

[@daveprice790]

If dominate ala Citeh, then great, if we don't then look out.

[@OkOk-ip5lg]

Why do you have to bring down tierney? Zinchenko cost us the title let’s be honest he’s good but the truth is he cost us the title and doesn’t take responsibility when it matter tierney lives for this club and shows it on the pitch zinchenko needs to let his playing do the talking

[@user-gp7gv3gd2j]

@@OkOk-ip5lg agree 100%

[@joshuaohuka7719]

@@OkOk-ip5lg this is foolish... No one is bringing down Tierney... His qualities are simply not what Arteta needs out of his full backs... And blaming Zinny for our title loss is just stupid... Firstly cause it's not accurate... Secondly because without players like him we wouldn't even have had a title run...

[@solfamilyj]

What an excellent signing Zinchenko's been. An asset to the team.

[@gunningyoudown3466]

Zinchencko has been great for us - had most fwd passes in the team most matches - created avg. 3rd most chances from midfield...that too playing as a lb Singlehadedly DESTROYED utd...and Was a big reason of us finishing 2nd

[@thierryhenry674]

Spot on mate!

[@chiefnkosi7705]

Not sure about single-handedly but he was fantastic that game.

[@Jmastives]

I could listen to Adrian talk all day. What a lovely genuine guy.

[@emilyonkov2172]

That "doing something crazy" against everton he mentioned, we needed, if anything, more of that. We became easy to defend in that slump, and Zinny is second only to Odegaard in terms of non-standard passing.

[@timtim8644]

Trossard Ø and Xhaka with him are the only line breakers in the team

[@goonersgoonstv5787]

Kudos to our Set Piece Coach... He's been doing well since we signed him, he deserves the mention, tanks Zinny

[@anthonyhunt7313]

Can’t wait to see more of these analysis! Great player. Awesome club. 💪🏿

[@FilipHansen-uh8nk]

This is quality content. Amazing. Keep it up Arsenal!

[@slumber44]

Brilliant. Need more of this, probably the closest we'll get to Arteta's talking about his tactical setup in details

[@martinm229]

Zinny's humility stat is 100.

[@aaroncathey627]

Well done Adrian. And I'm still over the moon about the fact Oleks is a Gooner. He's been immense this season.

[@fuadabdulkerim9092]

What a player he’s 🔥✨

[@vinnyvyas9794]

Interesting. Very intelligent player Zinchenko. He makes our attack better as a inverted full back

[@user-kt6qr8mm6y]

Прекрасный футболист, универсал, с отличным пасом и видением поля!😍👍

[@nimaniak3224]

Zinchenko = one of the best LB since he play

[@williamfrancis5546]

Zinchenko is very talented 👏 football ⚽️ player and he will compete to win 🏆 the quadruple next season God willing. Arsenal rocks 🏆 🙏 🤲 🕍 🪨 🎸.

[@vernsimpson6024]

More please!!!!❤️

[@pauladamdrift4286]

I love Arshavin

[@benjamindadzie9657]

Don't always look at the weak side of a player n slaughter him.Zinny has more positives than negatives.. he's one of the reason we came this far...

[@cryptofpl]

Great video content. The next video should be Saliba pls

[@bonitahatuhaire1221]

Really love this guy

[@yoelarokeum6141]

Very Fantastic Player ❤️🤍

[@janjah6024]

Zinchenko always believe in your soul❤❤

[@DavidSmith-gq3mv]

We love the team ❤

[@FuzzyPlayz-pf5dm]

he deserves his tots ♥️

[@cuteman6501]

He already has tots 😃

[@FuzzyPlayz-pf5dm]

the one he has he deserves it

[@RD-xe1hr]

Zinchenko ko always believe in your soul❤❤❤💛💙

[@ramnarayans2072]

Kindly do this kind of interview with Thomas. It would be nice to hear how he plays that anchoring role.

[@chinedumichael6925]

We love u Zinny ❤

[@Ashiprizeg]

Champion mentality,the lion heart is zinny♥️

[@Nguyendinhhiep6789]

Được xem Zinchenko chơi bóng là 1 niềm vui cho chúng tôi❤

[@yasminhassan3586]

❤🥶Goat Zinchenko 🐐

[@naluminolinyandi6755]

We love you Zinyyyyyyyy❤️

[@LordDeff07]

More of this!!!!!

[@Yo-wc2we]

Nice 🔥.

[@muktarayodeji7096]

I really like this guy mehn GUNNERS❤

[@Eligood69]

UNDERRATEDDDD

[@Chuck-4300]

This could be a good segment, interview with players to see their perspective, I'd watch it ,

[@nimaniak3224]

I love you Alex 💛💙

[@Seven-bp3pn]

Yeah I love you bro

[@Doggydays43]

My man

[@WishMount]

2:40 That turn killed 2 players off and he has endless space to drive. Good work from Zinny and both CB’s to draw the attackers in before a sharp turn. That pass has to be perfect though, otherwise that’s a goal for them

[@LUCKYEDDIEUG4385]

I really love 💚💚 Arsenal COYG 💪💪💪💪

[@aj_dontblink13]

Please announce some signings early!! That's all i ask for as a frustrated Arsenal FAN for life

[@degenerationy3954]

The problem with his version of inverted full back, is that he forgets he is a full back. Costs us so many points since the liverpool game. Great when we are on the front foot, but so bad when we are back against the wall.

[@daveprice790]

100%

[@JoeNTMY]

Defo

[@harleycaurugby]

He’s been solid defensively for the most part

[@user-gp7gv3gd2j]

agree 100%

[@makas01217]

his defensive flaw has always been there. the difference is that he had no saliba to cover him in the last few games

[@samuelOPM]

Zinny what a man and player

[@qhawelenkosindlovu4770]

I pray for you Zinny. God bless you. Love from Zimbabwe 🇿🇼

[@jandrex007]

🤡🤡

[@golemer]

that united game was something else

[@SCOPE_ON_THE_WING]

The boy is only going to get better

[@whenucomeback_melona]

건강하자 ~

[@IAmDozman]

Zinny and Timber on both sides...game is dead before it began... Bring on next season.. Come on Arsenal!!!!❤❤❤

[@simba2926]

More of these type of videos please!

[@wendellphillips7957]

Lee gunner you was right the PR in this club is unreal

[@gregorymurunga8046]

legendary trying to mask us bottling smh...

[@makas01217]

there is always two sides of the story. The fact that we bottled it at the end does not negate all the other good things we have done, but of course you can see it totally differently like Lee Gunner

[@DavidSmith-gq3mv]

Eew you actually watch that loser?

[@itumelengmokoena9645]

Man City Players Positions Serie but less prepared 👏well done

[@bjorn2970]

COYG next season ruthlessness!

[@fantasytv93]

Zinny ❤

[@Khxos]

Yes, share this kinda info so teams can know our play style lol

[@Luan64D1]

Asenal mãi đỉnh

[@karamiraivan6180]

I love zinchenko ❤❤❤❤

[@peeper2070]

Tear-knee taking notes

[@VailingGoose]

Lets go Zinny

[@chr1staki]

More videos like this ☝️

[@MSU.]

Where is the part where he explains getting nutmegged by Trent, which leads to a goal, then crying on the bench when subbed off?

[@justiceoforiszn5390]

Fantastic. Now let's go get Winterburn our of retirement and release a breakdown of " How to defend"

[@daveprice790]

😄 love it

[@thierryhenry674]

It’s not the 1990s anymore. The hate on modern fullbacks are ridiculous.

[@FredRaymondNa70]

Noticed how Zinco often praise Granit's role to his own game

[@inspyredgroup5066]

The quarterback of the team.

[@DC42087]

Should do one next on how to bottle a league

[@cuteman6501]

Zinny underrated 🇺🇦⚽️💪❤

[@adamthewolf9940]

Bottle Fc. 😂😂😵

[@vitalikbrazik]

From Ukraine with love, Zina ✊

[@elangtetuko97]

Aaargghh.. I've already missed watch them playing

[@crusader8308]

Tierney - Thank you for your service

[@1990taskmaster]

I can't believe we havnt utilised him, such a shame to see him go, one of my favourites

[@husseindjumida6568]

He looks disappointed but we go again next season with much energy but we have add some others machine like Caicedo in the mildfield position i believe we can win it.

[@Slice998]

I know this is not a popular opinion but I felt we were very vulnerable as Zinchenko left so much space to exploit once opponents sussed it out. He also makes so many unforced errors passing into the middle of the park.

[@user-gp7gv3gd2j]

agree 100%

[@daveprice790]

It might be more popular than you think!

[@simonminge8620]

I thought they'd break into transfer talk; Rice & Caicedo for a moment there

[@fazt1158]

Granit please stay!!

[@ulizalinkscoke]

Passion Merchant

[@mp81488]

When he calls him Alex at the start 😅

[@chiefnkosi7705]

He needs to also ask for a breakdown from Tierney about how to defend from left back.

[@Joonzi]

Love you Ziniiii🤍❤️

[@James-cu1dp]

Zinny can play well as a no. 8 role

[@alekseifedorov949]

Wow, just wow, we need to see more media with this Adrian Clarke, especially on TV with its poorest level of punditry

[@ryanhickman3335]

I need my fm23 fullbacks to watch this video

[@frankdarlington354]

Rival teams are not yet ready for what is coming.

[@user-qj6lp2vq7h]

Alex best LB in league!!!

[@Ghost-su5bm]

We are developing that city content creation gene😅

[@thierryhenry674]

People who criticise Zinchenko’s defending ability, you have zero knowledge in football. The massive benefits that zinchenko brings, outweigh the small risks. This is a risk we have acknowledged. So those fans should stop crying when we concede a few goals in a season, because it is expected to happen. It’s a risk we have decided to take for massive rewards. And we DO get the massive rewards. Saliba is the key to further minimise that risk (not just Saliba, our system also have many ways to minimise the risks). It’s just that we don’t have a bench player who is similar to Saliba’s level, while ManCity have a world class bench. We were ABSOLUTELY FINE, not losing points when Saliba was here. We didn’t lost a single point when our first eleven are playing together. Zinchenko was never a problem. You don’t take away the massive rewards to stop a small loss. You fix the device that minimises your loss. Which is the quality of the bench. If Investment A has a potential reward of £100,000 and a risk of losing £10. And investment B has a potential reward of £100 and a relatively lower risk of losing just £5. You don’t go and pick investment B just because it has a lower risk. You should pick investment A and then try to further minimise the risk. Because it will yield an overall better return. Zinchenko offer us technicality to play out from the back. Make us press resistance against aggressive press. He is skillful on the ball with great close control. He massively increased our possession quantity and quality. He dictates the tempo of our play. He is silky enough to play those tiki taka short passes with great touches. He can make through passes like a midfielder. He always show up in space offering passing options, and creating numerical advantage. His teamwork and creativity is great. He can interchange position with other players, because he is versatile, he can do just as good of a job in the new temporary position. Zinchenko inverted means he becomes a CM in possession, so Xhaka can push further forward. Xhaka can then avoid being the old Xhaka (as he doesn’t have to stay back). Jesus and Martinelli can now have an extra central player (Xhaka) to play combination passes with, or to interchange position with. That extra support they get is sometimes make or break against a solid low block. Martinelli, Saka, Odegaard, Xhaka played so well this year because they are benefitted from this system. Play Tierney instead and you suddenly lose all that. Our whole system collapse. In the last period of the season. Holding can’t play a high defensive line, our defensive line is dropped by 20 metres against West Ham. We can’t play our possession game. Zinchenko also lost some protection from Saliba. We wouldn’t have a problem if we have someone close to Saliba’s level on the bench. Finally, compare last season to this season. There are four main changes. The possession tactics, Jesus, Zinchenko and Saliba (the later three kind of allowed the first one to happen). Jesus’ and Zinchenko’s skillset has played a huge part of why we have improved to get second place this season. With an attacking invert fullback we WILL lose more goals naturally. But he will also bring a lot of other benefits. If we win 5-2 every game, losing 2 goals per game because of this, and never gets a clean sheet, it doesn’t matter. When Saliba is injured, the risks of playing Zinchenko is not minimised. So that we concede even more than 2 goals, and eventually, it actually affect the results. The solution is to find a backup at a similar level to Saliba.

[@No-Stack-Developer]

Finally someone who understand football and actually pays attention. Thank you, sir

[@whiteben37]

Spot on! 2010 Barcelona is going to concede more than 2010 Chelsea. Barcelona would concede less if they had 3 defensive midfielders instead of Iniesta, Xavi and Busquets, who are less defensively capable. Barcelona could win 4-2 every game. But it does not matter as long as they win games. And 4-2 is better than 1-0, even though you concede 2 goals instead of having clean sheets.

[@Ebuka957]

Bro deep your thumbs in ice man. They must be hurting after this

[@Benjamin-gt6si]

100% correct. Zinchenko is criminally underrated. Tierney is a player for Mourinho’s team, not Pep’s team. And we play more similar to Pep’s system. The top 16 left backs in the world are Cancelo Zinchenko Guerrerio RicoLewis LisandroMartinez FacundoMedina MarcosAcuna NunoMesdes Camavinga CiaoHenrique And then it would be AlphonsoDavies JordiAlba Reguilon DavidJurasek AbnerVinicius Ake Maybe also Hernandez at 17th. I’m not sure if he is that silky on the ball if he is played with less spaces available. Shaw, Robertson and Tierney are massively overrated. They won’t be anywhere technical enough to play in a top modern possession style team.

[@DIALSQUARE-iv1ie]

So I take it your "Small Risks" are not beating west ham, Liverpool & Southampton and not winning the League then? what are the rewards? as I remember protesting at finishing top 4 for twenty years in the ECL and winning sod all.

[@rooneylee7824]

Zinchenko is a soccer genius. Although it would've been better if he can be a better defender but overall, what he is bringing to Arsenal outweighs the disadvantages in defense. He needs a steady backup player who can sub him off around 70-75 minutes so that he doesn't feel like an empty battery.

[@TheCNSR]

Can't lie, I thought someone dropped a tune called Zinchenko 😅

[@-JKV-]

I want to talk to Bukayo and Marinelli 😅

[@sloht4061]

"Dont defend. it's the easiest way to get forward. Dont worry about the opposition, they dont exist, it's just me, the ball and the Arsenal player ahead of me. Everything else doesn't exist"

[@DizzleOfficial]

That's great until teams realise he isn't defending and take advantage of the space behind him... seems what teams were doing on our terrible run at the ened of the season :(

[@No-Stack-Developer]

​@@DizzleOfficial you're saying it took professional coaches half a season to figure out we were using an inverted lb??😂😂 They always knew since the start of the season

[@daveprice790]

That explains a lot !

[@thierryhenry674]

The kind of people who criticise Zinchenko’s defending ability, have zero knowledge in football. The massive benefits that zinchenko brings, outweigh the small risks. This is a risk we have acknowledged. So those fans should stop crying when we concede a few goals in a season, because it is expected to happen. It’s a risk we have decided to take for massive rewards. And we DO get the massive rewards. Saliba is the key to further minimise that risk (not just Saliba, our system also have many ways to minimise the risks). It’s just that we don’t have a bench player who is similar to Saliba’s level, while ManCity have a world class bench. We were ABSOLUTELY FINE, not losing points when Saliba was here. We didn’t lost a single point when our first eleven are playing together. Zinchenko was never a problem. You don’t take away the massive rewards to stop a small loss. You fix the device that minimises your loss. Which is the quality of the bench. If Investment A has a potential reward of £100,000 and a risk of losing £10. And investment B has a potential reward of £100 and a relatively lower risk of losing just £5. You don’t go and pick investment B just because it has a lower risk. You should pick investment A and then try to further minimise the risk. Because it will yield an overall better return. Zinchenko offer us technicality to play out from the back. Make us press resistance against aggressive press. He is skillful on the ball with great close control. He massively increased our possession quantity and quality. He dictates the tempo of our play. He is silky enough to play those tiki taka short passes with great touches. He can make through passes like a midfielder. He always show up in space offering passing options, and creating numerical advantage. His teamwork and creativity is great. He can interchange position with other players, because he is versatile, he can do just as good of a job in the new temporary position. Zinchenko inverted means he becomes a CM in possession, so Xhaka can push further forward. Xhaka can then avoid being the old Xhaka (as he doesn’t have to stay back). Jesus and Martinelli can now have an extra central player (Xhaka) to play combination passes with, or to interchange position with. That extra support they get is sometimes make or break against a solid low block. Martinelli, Saka, Odegaard, Xhaka played so well this year because they are benefitted from this system. Play Tierney instead and you suddenly lose all that. Our whole system collapse. In the last period of the season. Holding can’t play a high defensive line, our defensive line is dropped by 20 metres against West Ham. We can’t play our possession game. Zinchenko also lost some protection from Saliba. We wouldn’t have a problem if we have someone close to Saliba’s level on the bench. Finally, compare last season to this season. There are four main changes. The possession tactics, Jesus, Zinchenko and Saliba (the later three kind of allowed the first one to happen). Jesus’ and Zinchenko’s skillset has played a huge part of why we have improved to get second place this season. With an attacking invert fullback we WILL lose more goals naturally. But he will also bring a lot of other benefits. If we win 5-2 every game, losing 2 goals per game because of this, and never gets a clean sheet, it doesn’t matter. When Saliba is injured, the risks of playing Zinchenko is not minimised. So that we concede even more than 2 goals, and eventually, it actually affect the results. The solution is to find a backup at a similar level to Saliba.

[@Benjamin-gt6si]

You have underrated Zinchenko. Tierney is a player for Mourinho’s team, not Pep’s team. And we play more similar to Pep’s system. The top 16 left backs in the world are Cancelo Zinchenko Guerrerio RicoLewis LisandroMartinez FacundoMedina MarcosAcuna NunoMesdes Camavinga CiaoHenrique And then it would be AlphonsoDavies JordiAlba Reguilon DavidJurasek AbnerVinicius Ake Maybe also Hernandez at 17th. I’m not sure if he is that silky on the ball if he is played with less spaces available. Shaw, Robertson and Tierney are massively overrated. They won’t be anywhere technical enough to play in a top modern possession style team.

[@sammygooner599]

Talking about connection The more reason why I don't want xhaka sold cos the connection is very vital to the team. You don't know what to get from getting a new player

[@devonalfons9806]

Balogun in ❤❤❤ Nkatiah out 💔💔💔

[@aboundiathe5735]

We need Granit to stay

[@xtrassex]

☺🤘

[@containedhurricane]

If Arteta copies Guardiola's false CB tactic and ditch the inverted-fullback, he would likely compete with Smith-Rowe and Vieira for Xhaka's position. I think that could happen if Arsenal sign a hybrid DM/ CB like Rice or Zubimendi, to play as Stones has been doing for Man City

[@chiefnkosi7705]

😂Arteta done it first against Liverpool with Tomiyasu this season when Guardiola was still playing Walker and Cancelo. Played 4 CB with Tomiyasu on the left where he also came into the middle, then repeated it at Southampton then ditched it after that.

[@jetfitness7975]

U don’t need to sign rice for that. You can ply Ben white at cb and use him in that position

[@Aldous.1858]

We are officially everything but a football club

[@asheru9254]

We should not let our secrets out, opponents will use it against us

[@benjamindadzie9657]

😂😂😂😂😂....Y do teams post training videos,y do coaches grant interview with sky sports....etc

[@markshaw-sh6by]

Maybe you should learn how to play full back first! The fact this guy starts over KT amazes me. Zinchenko is a midfielder