"Hasn't been at the same level" – Micah Richards believes 27-year-old Arsenal star has failed to be as good as last season

Ex-Manchester City right-back Micah Richards has delivered his verdict on Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko, claiming that the left-back has not been as good as last season.

While discussing who has been the best left-back in the Premier League this term, Richards opined on Zinchenko's outings for the Gunners on BBC Match of the Day Top 10 podcast. He said (h/t TBR):

"[Ben] Chilwell has been injured, Zinchenko hasn't been at the same level as last season, [Destiny] Udogie has done well, [Luke] Shaw has done well. I agree with Alan [Shearer] though... [Andrew] Robertson [has been the best left-back this season]."

After arriving in a £35 million deal from Manchester City in 2022, Zinchenko looked like a revelation for Arsenal last campaign. He helped his side finish second behind his former team in the 2022-23 league table.

However, Zinchenko failed to replicate his form this season with Gunners manager Mikel Arteta often picking Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior ahead of the player. He started 24 of his 35 overall appearances, contributing one goal and two assists in the process.

Ian Wright urges Arsenal to sign top striker

Speaking on Premier League Productions, Arsenal legend Ian Wright asserted that his former club need to sign a reliable finisher to help them win the league title. He said (h/t Metro):

"If you are continually missing chances at the stage Arsenal were and none of the front guys were scoring, then you start to feel the pressure on the team. That's what you can't do against Manchester City. You have to be able to score the goals. We did score. We scored a lot of goals this season. But I am talking about changing games and changing the way you are playing the game."

Urging Gunners to rope in Alexander Isak this summer, Wright added:

"I think they would definitely look at somebody who would fit into a very technically organised side. A team that can stretch. There is a lot of talk about what's happening with Isak at Newcastle. Yoy look at Isak, you could say, 'Yeah, [we'd take him.]' We need somebody, first and foremost, who is going to take the half-chance."

Isak, 24, relished his best-ever season in front of goal for Newcastle United. He hit 25 goals, including 21 league goals, and laid out two assists in 40 matches across competitions for Eddie Howe's side this term.

In comparison, Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus scored just eight goals in 36 overall games in the 2023-24 season. Gunners summer signing Kai Havertz, on the other hand, netted 14 times in 51 outings for his club.