“I swear on my children’s life, he’s the guy that’s going to make the difference for Arsenal against Porto in the big match in the second leg”- Liverpool Legend Steven Gerrard says £35M rated Arsenal star will be deciding factor in the second leg against Porto at Emirates and will help Arsenal reach the UCL quarter final if only Mikel Arteta didn’t decide to just drop him to the bench.
In the recent Champions League clash against Porto, Arsenal’s performance fell short of expectations, leaving them grappling with the bitter taste of defeat. The north London club struggled to penetrate Porto’s defense, culminating in a surprising late goal by Galeno.
As the second leg approaches, Arsenal has an opportunity for redemption, acknowledging the need for substantial improvements to secure a better result. Steven Gerrard, in a discussion on the Handbrake Off Podcast, shed light on potential strategies for Arsenal’s European comeback. He underscored the importance of Oleksandr Zinchenko’s return in the upcoming match, noting the £35 million acquisition’s potential game-changing impact.
Gerrard expressed confidence that Zinchenko, if fit and available, could elevate the team’s tempo and contribute to a more fluid game. Highlighting the shutting down of the midfield by Porto in the previous encounter, Gerrard suggested that players like Zinchenko and Partey could play pivotal roles in addressing this challenge.
Despite not being a headline player for Arsenal, Zinchenko’s tactical significance was emphasized. His ability to transition from full-back adds a layer of versatility, particularly in addressing the midfield overload – an aspect where Arsenal struggled against Porto.
With optimism centered around Zinchenko’s potential return for the second leg, there’s hope that his presence could substantially impact the team’s performance, potentially steering the outcome in a positive direction.
