Arsenal are reportedly working on a deal to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City. The Gunners have wasted little time in improving their squad for the next season, signing the likes of Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Gabriel Jesus so far.
Mikel Arteta remains keen on a couple more new additions and has seemingly switched his attention to reinforcing his left-back options. According to reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal and Manchester City are in contact over a potential transfer of Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Should a deal for the Manchester City left-back doesn’t materialise, the north London outfit have Anderlecht’s Sergio Gomez as a back-up option, he tweeted.
Arsenal are now discussing personal terms with Oleksandr Zinchenko as negotiations with Manchester City are progressing well. 🚨🇺🇦 #AFC
Arsenal want to be fast on this deal, Arteta is pushing. Work in progress. pic.twitter.com/AKGtqnuGdO
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 15, 2022
Zinchenko, 25, arrived at Manchester City from Russia side FC Ufa in 2016 and has enjoyed great success, winning four Premier League titles, four League Cups and one FA Cup. However, the Ukraine international is yet to establish himself as a first-team player at the Etihad Stadium under Pep Guardiola, having managed only 76 Premier League appearances in five seasons.
Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal – A solid addition to the Gunners’ backline?
A central midfielder by trade, Oleksandr Zinchenko has played as a back-up left-back during his entire time with Manchester City so far. Last season was no different either as he started just 10 of his Premier League appearances, registering four assists with the last one of those coming in the title-winning game against Aston Villa in the final game of the season.
In the 15 league appearances he made for Manchester City last season, Zinchenko averaged 1.3 tackles, 0.9 interceptions and 0.7 clearances. He was excellent when distributing the ball from the back, as evidenced by a 90.7% pass completion rate, whilst averaging 1.6 long balls and 0.1 through balls (stats courtesy: whoscored).
At 25, the Ukrainian is hoping for more game time and could achieve that at Arsenal. Mikel Arteta is keen on reuniting with Zinchenko, having worked with him previously at Manchester City, and that excellent relationship could help the Gunners get a deal over the line.
Capable of playing at left-back and in midfield, the 25-year-old would provide versatility within Arteta’s squad as the Gunners fight for a place in the Champions League. He would be a straight upgrade on Nuno Tavares while being a strong back-up to Kieran Tierney, who is likely to start the new season as the first-choice left-back.
Zinchenko has good experience playing at the highest level in England, and that coupled with his versatility and winning habit could see him make an instant impact at the Emirates Stadium. And no better time for Arteta and co. to sign the Ukraine international, as he is perhaps entering the prime stages of his career after enjoying a trophy-laden six years with Manchester City.