“I can’t stand things like this” - Chris Sutton defends Arsenal star who has unfairly become 'scapegoat' now

Pundit Chris Sutton believes Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko has come under unfair criticism lately.

The Gunners have endured a bad week that saw them knocked out of the Champions League on Wednesday (April 17) at the hands of Bayern Munich after losing 2-0 to Aston Villa in the Premier League on April 14.

The Ukrainian started his team's weekend defeat to the Villans and was seemingly jeered off by a few fans while being substituted. Claiming that the left-back has been subject to some unfair treatment, Sutton told the It’s All Kicking Off! podcast (via Metro):

"I can't stand things like this actually. But in the history of football, there's always been scapegoats, someone to blame. Someone has to take the blame for Arsenal's poor form.

"I'm not gonna say all Gunners fans, but they can be quite a strange bunch. I mean, there were fans who didn't bother to stay until the end of the game. They're very, very, very reactive, aren't they? They should remember that they've had a good season," he added.

The left-back position has been one of contention throughout the season. No Gunners player has been able to lock down the position, with Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior also playing the role.

This season, Zinchenko has made 33 appearances across competitions, bagging a goal and two assists. He was dropped for the Japan international against Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday.

It will be interesting to see if Zinchenko is preferred in the first XI when they face Wolves on Saturday (April 20).

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Fabrizio Romano claims Arsenal could sign new left-back amid Zinchenko worries

Oleksandr Zinchenko

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano believes that Arsenal could dip into the market in the summer transfer window amid worries over Oleksandr Zinchenko's form.

However, Jurrien Timber is still to return from injury and has already proved that he can play in the left-sided full-back position.

Speaking exclusively to GIVEMESPORT, Romano said:

"It's a possibility. It's not guaranteed yet because, from what I'm hearing, Arsenal are still waiting to understand what they want to do at the end of the season.

"They want to see what happens in the Premier League to decide what they want to do regarding investments in different positions, but left-back could be one of the positions to cover," he added.

Zinchenko was signed from Manchester City in the summer of 2022 for a reported €35 million. Since then, he's made 66 appearances across competitions for the Gunners, bagging two goals and four assists.