Oleksandr Zinchenko was warned, twice. Once in April and then again on Saturday evening.
Arsenal’s left-back was beaten too easily for Roberto Firmino’s late leveller in the 2-2 draw between the Gunners and Liverpool as Mikel Arteta’s side ultimately fell short in the title race. Then in the early stages of the same game this season, Zinchenko’s lapse in concentration allowed Mohamed Salah a shot, but the Liverpool forward hit the side netting.
And good players do not let you off twice. Salah beat Zinchenko too easily down the right for his equaliser – the only blot from Arsenal’s excellent defence that saw Gabriel impress in both boxes and William Saliba pick up man of the match.
Zinchenko was branded a “liability” by Gary Neville, who said he should have been “hooked off” as the defender’s mistakes continued into the second half. One nearly led to a Liverpool winner, but Trent Alexander-Arnold spared him by hitting the bar.
Arsenal tried to bring in an improvement in the left-back area in the summer, but injuries to Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu mean Zinchenko has to play these big games when he is defensively suspect.
With doubts remaining over Jakub Kiwior, left on the bench at Anfield despite Zinchenko’s shortcomings, Arteta needs to decide whether a full-back is at the top of their January transfer window list over any other position.
