OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO has called out two Arsenal players for never passing the ball.
The Ukrainian defender has reportedly been ruled out for the Gunners’ final game of the season.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has claimed two Arsenal stars ‘never pass the ball’Richard Pelham / The Sun
GettyHe called out Martin Odegaard and Rob Holding[/caption]
Zinchenko has been an excellent addition to the squad since his transfer from Manchester City last summer.
Mikel Arteta has relied on the 26-year-old to play his unique inverted left-back role.
He was one of the improvements to the squad that allowed them to mount a serious title challenge in the Premier League.
However, the club’s efforts were in vain as a run of poor form in the final two months of the season saw Man City overtake them and claim the title.
Zinchenko’s ability to slot into the midfield and pass the ball has evolved the team’s tactics.
But the star has insisted not everyone is as selfless with the ball as him.
In a conversation with Ultimate Champions YouTube channel, Zinchenko claimed that Martin Odegaard and Rob Holding never “pass the ball”.
He was asked to name the player that he thought has had the most touches during the 4-1 win over Leeds.
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Zinchenko picked Leandro Trossard but was not surprised to find out that it was Odegaard.
He joked: “He has more! He never passes the ball. He never passes the ball.”
He was then told that Holding also had a match in which he was the player to have the most touches.
Zinchenko responded: “That’s what I’m saying, you never pass the ball!”
Where Odegaard is concerned, his contribution to the Arsenal team can not be doubted, as he has starred for the club this season.
The Norweigan has scored 15 goals and provided seven assists in the Premier League.
Odegaard also has the sixth most amount of passes in the Arsenal squad this season with 1,640, just behind Zinchenko in fifth with 1,716.
Holding, however, does have much fewer passes to his name as he has only managed 438 this season, 500 less than goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
He has played significantly less than the shot-stopper and the other two Arsenal stars this campaign.
The club’s top passer in the Premier League this season has been Gabriel Magalhães who has accumulated 2,339 passes in his 37 appearances.