LONDON, ENGLAND: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 05, 2022. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Boost for Arsenal with injured star in contention to face Aston Villa

Aug 30, 2022

Oleksandr Zinchenko could be in contention to play against Aston Villa on Wednesday after his injury absence at the weekend.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Leicester City at Emirates Stadium on August 13, 2022. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Charles Watts reports that Oleksandr Zinchenko was very close to making it into the Arsenal squad against Fulham at the weekend, and he could now be in contention for the Aston Villa clash.

Watts writes for Goal that Arsenal are hoping the Ukrainian could be available for Wednesday’s game.

Zinchenko had a knee problem keeping him out of the Fulham match, but it was clearly not hugely serious, as the defender spent parts of the match racing up and down the touchline.

Arsenal had stated at the time that the absence was as a precaution, and it seems they haven’t discovered any further damage since then.

Arsenal’s summer signing has quickly become popular with the Gunners supporters after his positive performances in the early weeks of the season.

Though he wasn’t in the matchday squad on Saturday, Zinchenko joined the players behind the dugout anyway. He could be seen standing, cheering, and nervously watching on with the rest of the fans.

Kieran Tierney is only recently back from a pre-season injury of his own, and he didn’t have his best start in the opening hour on Saturday. Mikel Arteta ended up withdrawing the left-back as he looked to chase the game with another forward.

Tierney will find his rhythm in time, but having Zinchenko back in the meantime would be a boost.