Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko praised Germany legend Philipp Lahm as the inspiration behind his new hybrid midfield role.
Zinchenko, among others, has transitioned from a full-back position to an “inverted full-back” role in the midfield.
In an exclusive interview with TNT Sports before Arsenal’s Champions League clash against his former club PSV, Zinchenko downplayed his individual impact, emphasizing the importance of self-sacrifice for the team’s greater good.
“I would say, I just want to try and help my team as much as I can, it doesn’t matter which position I am.” Zichenko said.
“A lot of times people ask me, where do you feel more comfortable, in midfield, in the back, left-back or whatever.
“Wherever the manager can see me, I’m always happy to help, that’s it.”
“What I learn from the past, from the other players, which were also playing in different positions that they’re not really used to and I’ve seen a few different examples where people were reacting not good and it didn’t work at all or the other case and they were trying to give their best and in the end eventually it was always working,” he said.
“So it’s the same thing. Honestly I don’t know how massive my role can be on the pitch but I just always try to give my best to help my team-mates, to help the club to win the games and trophies. That’s why we’re all here.”
Discussing his role on the pitch and its unique nature, Zinchenko credited Arteta for his start in the position and expressed admiration for Lahm, acknowledging him as a significant source of inspiration.
“First of all the manager put me in this position,” he added. “He started to teach me how to play in this position, what I need to do, what I need to improve and for me the example was always Philipp Lahm.
“I think he can play in any position on the pitch and he always will be good. So that’s why you’re trying to take the best things from the best.”
Touching on Arsenal’s leadership group, Zinchenko highlighted the necessity of having prominent personalities within the team, stating that it’s almost a prerequisite for a big club.
“100% there are a lot of leaders in our team. On the pitch, off the pitch, in the dressing room whatever,” he said. “There’s a lot of big personalities here and it’s always good to have and it’s normal if you really call yourself a big club.
“If you want to achieve really big things you have to have these kind of people.”
Arsenal has already qualified to the next stage of the UEFA Champions League as they sit top of group B with 12 points in five games.
