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Arsenal 'to scout' possible Oleksandr Zinchenko replacement at Euro 2024

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 10 June 2024

Arsenal 'to scout' possible Zinchenko replacement at Euro 2024

Arsenal reportedly plan to scout Stuttgart and Germany left-back Maximilian Mittelstadt during Euro 2024 amid uncertainty over Oleksandr Zinchenko's future.

Arsenal reportedly plan to deploy scouts to watch a highly-rated left-back in action at Euro 2024.

After shining during Stuttgart's surprise push for Champions League qualification in the 2023-24 Bundesliga campaign, Maximilian Mittelstadt earned a call-up to the Germany squad for Euro 2024.

The 27-year-old functioned as both a left-back and left wing-back during the domestic season, registering two goals and five assists in 35 matches as Stuttgart pipped Bayern Munich to second place in the table.

A former Hertha Berlin youth product - whom Stuttgart signed for just £422,800 last year - Mittelstadt made his senior Germany debut in March and has started in each of his first four appearances for his country.

As a result, the left-back - who scored his first goal for his nation in a 2-1 friendly win over the Netherlands three months ago - appears nailed-on to start Germany's Euro 2024 opener against Scotland on Friday evening.

Stuttgart's Maximilian Mittelstadt pictured in October 2023 © Reuters

Arsenal 'to watch Mittelstadt in Euro 2024 opener'

According to FootballTransfers, Arsenal are set to have representatives in attendance to keep an eye on Mittelstadt's performance at the Allianz Arena, having identified him as a potential summer target.

Gunners boss Mikel Arteta failed to settle on a regular left-back during the 2023-24 campaign, and the Spaniard is therefore said to be keen to add reinforcements to that position ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Arteta is incredibly demanding of his left-backs, who are required to possess specialist inversion skills to make the grade at the Emirates, and he believes that Mittelstadt could excel in such a role.

The Stuttgart man is expected to hold off the threat of David Raum to feature regularly for hosts Germany at the Euros, having quickly won over head coach Julian Nagelsmann since his debut.

What is the left-back situation at Arsenal?

Mittelstadt only has two years left to run on his Stuttgart deal and could be tempted by a move to the Premier League, but even though Arsenal's left-back situation is complicated, Arteta still has numerous options on that side.

Oleksandr Zinchenko celebrates scoring for Arsenal on November 11, 2023 © Reuters

Oleksandr Zinchenko shone for Arsenal as their inverted full-back in 2022-23, but he failed to have the same impact last season and was also singled out for a lack of defensive nous at various points.

Zinchenko's drop-off in form saw Jakub Kiwior and Takehiro Tomiyasu successfully challenge the Ukrainian for starts, and the latter earned the nod in the final few weeks of the season, but his injury record is a worry.

There is a consensus that Jurrien Timber will be Arsenal's first-choice left-back in the 2023-24 season, having built up minutes on that flank since recovering from his ACL injury, but as many as three could depart.

Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares are back from their respective Real Sociedad and Nottingham Forest loan spells but have no futures at the club under Arteta, while Zinchenko is alleged to be 'unhappy' in North London after losing his place in the side.

Talk of Bayern Munich being interested in the ex-Manchester City man is thought to be wide of the mark, but there will ostensibly be a place for Mittelstadt in Arsenal's ranks next term regardless.