Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko is “expected” to be back in contention when the Gunners face Southampton on Friday, according to the Daily Telegraph reporter Sam Dean.

The usually reliable journalist claims that a groin injury kept the Ukrainian international out of the 2-2 draw against West Ham at the weekend but he should be available for the club’s next fixture:

Zinchenko is not available for Arsenal today (groin) but he has travelled with the team. He was pitchside during the warm-up. Very much expected to be available for Southampton on Friday

— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) April 16, 2023

Zinhenko’s return will be a major boost for manager Mikel Arteta. The 26-year-old’s presence on the ball was missed versus the Hammers, especially when Arsenal lost control of the game after going 2-0 up at the London Stadium.

It also must be said that Zinchenko’s replacement Kieran Tierney didn’t cover himself in glory. The left-back lost his marker for Jarrod Bowen’s equaliser early in the second half.

While Zinchenko is certainly not the best defensively either, as we saw versus Liverpool, there is no doubt that his all-round game is superior to Tierney’s so you would back him to return to the starting lineup against the Saints.