Oleksandr Zinchenko, a player for Manchester City, has signed a four-year contract with Arsenal and the north London club has announced his arrival.
Before focusing on Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, the Gunners were interested in signing Zinchenko earlier this summer. Arsenal hastily finalized a deal for Zinchenko after realizing that Martinez would be out of their price range (he has subsequently joined Manchester United).
The club and City quickly came to an understanding, and the player’s personal terms were never going to be a problem.
On Wednesday, Zinchenko watched Arsenal defeat Orlando City 3-1 in the second leg of their US tour. After the game, Mikel Arteta, the manager, expressed his excitement about working with the 25-year-old again after their time together at City.
Zinchenko’s arrival was officially announced by the team on Friday night. According to a release, the Ukrainian has signed a “long-term contract” with the Gunners.
Excited by his arrival, Mikel Arteta said: “We’re so happy Alex has joined us. I have a close personal relationship with him and have kept up with him even after leaving Manchester City. Alex is a top-notch player who will give us diversity and alternatives.
“His versatility in both attack and defense is just as important as the positions he can play. I’m happy that everyone put up such a significant effort to welcome Alex to the club because he possesses excellent human attributes and character.”
Technical director Edu concurred with the manager, saying, “I’m extremely delighted to see how we’re working as a team here in the club. Oleksandr Zinchenko was one of the primary priorities on our list when we first put our plan together. We’re happy to have Alex on board because he possesses the qualities that, in my opinion, will raise the caliber of our team.”
Zinchenko has won four Premier League championships at the Etihad before moving to north London.
He played a quiet but significant role in City’s recent success under Pep Guardiola, and there’s little question that he’ll contribute significantly to Arteta’s project.
The international player from Ukraine is adaptable enough to play different roles in the Spaniard’s control-oriented style, and this initially seems like a match made in heaven. Arsenal can’t complain about the £32 million bargain for his services.
How will Oleksandr Zinchenko fit into Arteta’s team?
It is reported that Arteta loves Zinchenko’s versatility as a player and is enthusiastic about the opportunity of working with him once more.
In the current summer transfer window, Mikel Arteta has been considering acquisitions at left-back and central midfield. Lisandro Martinez of Ajax, who has experience playing in both positions as well as center back, was desired by the Gunners but now appears destined for Manchester United. Youri Tielemans of Leicester City has also been considered, but interest in him has waned recently.
Gabriel Jesus, a former teammate of Zinchenko’s from City, joined Arsenal earlier this summer after the Brazilian moved from the Etihad to north London in a £45 million transaction.
After Jesus, Marquinhos, Matt Turner, and Fabio Vieira, Zinchenko is the Gunners’ fifth summer acquisition. Mikel Arteta could use the Ukrainian footballer as a wingback or probably fulfill the player’s dream of being used as a midfielder.
