According to reports, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is interested in Manchester City‘s left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko ahead of the summer transfer window.
Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are targeting a striker, a new midfielder, and a backup left-back in the summer transfer window. Oleksandr Zinchenko joins fellow Manchester City star Gabriel Jesus on the Arsenal wish list. Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans is also on Arsenal’s list. While the gunners are also scouting young Scottish left-back Aaron Hickey.
Zinchenko has enjoyed a very decent season with Manchester City this term. He lifted his fourth Premier League title with the citizens this term. He also played a major role in the 3-2 comeback against Aston Villa on the final day of the season to hand his side the league title. Oleksandr Zinchenko assisted Rodri’s long-range strike to make the game level at 2-2.
The Ukrainian left-back has made a total of 28 appearances across all competitions this term. In this time he has recorded five assists. (stats via Transfermarkt) Zinchenko joined Manchester City as a centre midfielder. But with Manchester City’s poor record with left-backs, Pep Guardiola started playing the Ukrainian out of position as a left-back. Since then he has stuck to the left-back slot for the Premier League champions.
Is Oleksandr Zinchenko a good option for Arsenal?
Despite the Ukrainian playing as a left-back over the last couple of seasons. Mikel Arteta still believes that the Ukarinin’s best position is as a centre midfielder. Daily Mail have reported that Arsenal and Mikel Arteta could kill two birds with one stone by signing Oleksandr Zinchenko.
The left-back would provide backup to Kieran Tierney at the left-back slot. While he could also feature in midfield as the partner to Thomas Partey. Arsenal signed Nuno Tavares last summer, but the Portuguese left-back has failed to win over the Arsenal faithful and management.
Arteta will be hoping that the possibility of playing in his natural position could convince and tempt the Zinchenkp to join the gunners despite no Champions League on offer. The Spanish manager will also be hoping to use his good relationship with both Jesus and Zinchenko to convince them to join the club in the summer.
Reports also suggest that Pep Guardiola will not block any approaches from the gunners for the duo and is willing to let go of the duo in the summer.
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