Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko credits German icon Philipp Lahm as ‘big source of inspiration’ for hybrid role

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.

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.

“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.”