Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko credits German icon Philipp Lahm as 'big source of inspiration' for hybrid role
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ByEurosport
Published 12/12/2023 at 13:23 GMT
Across the world, full-backs are being pushed into midfield as part of the latest craze taking over the game of football. Speaking exclusively to TNT Sports, Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko has spoken about the inspiration he takes from World Cup winner Philipp Lahm. He also made it clear that he didn’t feel that what he was doing was particularly massive and is just trying to help team.
EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS - DECEMBER 11: attends a press conference at Philips Stadion on December 11, 2023 in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko has hailed Germany legend Philipp Lahm as the inspiration for his new hybrid midfield role.
Zinchenko is one of a number of players who are being used as “inverted full-backs” coming into the midfield despite starting at the full-back position.
Speaking exclusively to TNT Sports ahead of the Gunners’ Champions League clash away at his former club PSV, which you can watch live on TNT Sports and discovery+, Zinchenko played down his own impact.
When asked about his role on the pitch and the unique nature of it he said: “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.
“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.”
He also stressed how important it is to be willing to sacrifice yourself for the greater good.
“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.”
When asked about how he started in the role Zinchenko cited Arteta and then went on to praise Lahm, saying that he has been a big 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.
He is one of the most intelligent players I’ve ever seen in my life,
“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.”
Zinchenko also touched on the leadership group within Arsenal, saying that having a lot of big personalities is 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.”
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