The anticipation is high as Arsenal gears up to face Crystal Palace on Monday, and their manager, Mikel Arteta, has just received a significant boost. Oleksandr Zinchenko, who had been sidelined with a calf injury since the previous season, is now fit to return to action.

Zinchenko’s recovery comes as a relief for the Gunners, who recently suffered a blow with Jurrien Timber sidelined due to a cruciate knee ligament injury. According to the UK Mirror, the 26-year-old Ukrainian international may even secure a starting spot at Selhurst Park.

If Zinchenko does make the starting lineup, he is likely to feature as an inverted left-back, a position in which he excelled last season. This would undoubtedly add strength and versatility to Arteta’s team.

Arsenal kicked off their season with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Nottingham Forest, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting campaign.