Oleksandr Zinchenko became Arsenal’s fifth signing of the summer transfer window after the Gunners announced the Ukranian international had joined the club on a four-year deal.
Zinchenko followed former Manchester City team-mate Gabriel Jesus in leaving the Etihad for the Emirates this summer, and it’s a three-way reunion as both stars worked under Mikel Arteta in the past. Like Jesus, Zinchenko leaves City as a reigning Premier League champion, and looks to become a bigger star at a club on the up, rather than already at the top.
But Arsenal haven’t just signed a versatile player who can play at either left-back or in midfield, as Zinchenko has a unique story that makes him stand out from the crowd. The Ukrainian has been on quite the journey to get where he is today, and that fight and determination will be essential to helping Arsenal get to the next level.
Zinchenko has already been welcomed by Arsenal as a ‘midfielder’ on their official website, and that could give a clear indication on where Arteta wants to unleash him this season. It’s Zinchenko’s preferred position, and it’s where he became the youngest ever captain of his national team.
The 25-year-old may arrive as a four-time Premier League winner, but his journey to stardom boasts how he isn’t your average star, and his humble rise proves how he could be an inspirational asset under Arteta. Zinchenko was signed by City in 2016, as he arrived for only £1.7million from Russian side FC Ufa.
But two years before that, he was without a club and was trying to keep fit in the streets after fleeing a warzone in northern Ukraine. A trial with Rubin Kazan gave him a lifeline, and Zinchenko even slept at the training ground due to a lack of finances.
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However, legal issues meant that Zinchenko couldn’t formally sign with Kazan, but shortly after he was finally given the green light to sign for Ufa. The Ukrainian switched to left-back in a bid to get minutes, and was rewarded with his first international cap just six months after this decision.
It’s been the most inspirational of grafts for Zinchenko, who has since become captain of Ukraine and will finally be given the opportunity in midfield consistently for a Premier League outfit, but it’s an opportunity he won’t waste. You can have all of the ability or motivation in football, but Zinchenko’s mindset will be able to give him the edge.
Arsenal haven’t just signed a proven winner, but they’ve invested in a leader and a strong character. The Ukrainian was loved by his team-mates at City, and now the Gunners have a new favourite in the dressing room.
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Zinchenko’s arrival now means that Arsenal have paida total of £77m to City this summer, but Pep Guardiola’s fringe stars could become poster boys at the Emirates. Jesus has already been prolific in pre-season and is relishing his chance as no.9, and Zinchenko joins as exciting midfield.
Arteta is desperate to get Arsenal back into the Champions League, a competition they haven’t competed in since 2016. And they missed out on the final day of last season in brutal fashion as Tottenham swooped in.
But they’ve made smart moves this summer, and it appears as though the toxicity has been drained from the dressing room. It’s replacement looks to be nothing but positivity, and City’s former stars are certainly ones to watch next season.
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