Oleksandr Zinchenko has changed squad number from 35 to 17, the number previously worn by Cedric Soares, who departed on a free transfer this summer.
The Ukrainian international’s future has had a little question mark over it this summer, but the announcement of this change makes it almost certain he’ll be an Arsenal player until the end of the season at least, at which point he’ll have one year left on his contract.
Explaining the decision to the official Arsenal website, the 27 year old said, “The number 17 is a very special number to me. It was the number I wore as a young player, and I’ve always requested to wear 17 when playing for my country.
“With 17 being free since Cedric left, I asked if I could change, and thanks to everyone at the club for supporting me. It’s also very important to say that if anyone has bought this season’s new shirt directly from the club with my name and 35 on it, they can get an exchange to my new number.”
Since his arrival from Man City two summers ago, Zinchenko has made a total of 68 appearances for the club, scoring 2 goals and providing 4 assists from his ‘inverted’ left-back position.
It remains to be seen how regularly he’ll play following the arrival of Italian international Riccardo Calafiori, but he will certainly be an experienced squad player as we face another testing season ahead.
The number 17 has also been worn by Alexis Sanchez, Edu, Nacho Monreal and Alex Iwobi.
Not that surprising. Very specific type of player, don’t think there’s much of a market for him at the wages he’s on. Part of me wonders if he could do a job as a Jorginho-type deep conductor in midfield but he’s a bit too careless on the ball for my liking in that position. He’s raised our level tremendously since he arrived but might end up being an expensive millstone. Still a good signing for his contributions to bring us up to the elite over the past couple of seasons. Can still see him playing a pretty big role throughout… Read more »
I’ve said for a while now, I think he could actually be better as the left #8 or even a technical winger role (in certain situations). There is no questioning his ability going forward, creating and in possession, and defensively he is really tactically astute in a pressing system (just not a good 1v1 defender). I have zero concerns with Zinny being around this team for another year as a versatile option and he’s a winner and a leader.
Zinky regularly is out of gas after 50 minutes playing defense- how is he going to fare playing box to box twice a week?
I actually think he could come on for odegaard if we’re in front, believe he plays there for Ukraine.
Yeah, I was thinking that this afternoon too, and tbh, if anything happened to Marty (please no), I’d prefer zinny to Vieira…
He played left back last tournament for Ukraine. Good squad player for us for another year. I don’t want to see Zinny in the midfield potentially blocking minutes for Nwanieri
Actually played LB for Ukraine at the Euros in the games I’ve watched. But played in midfield for them a couple of years ago when he still was at City.
It’s a weird one. Some players are really good at advancing the ball in deeper areas but aren’t so creative in the final 3rd. That preternatural ability to see things developing before the defenders do in a crowded area is a rare gift, and then to be able to execute those pinpoint passes is another rare gift. I’m not sure Zinchenko has that. He’s been more of a hockey assist guy all his career (the pass before the pass), a bit like Hleb was, or Xhaka, or Jorginho. For me the best argument to play him further forward is primarily… Read more »
Who is going to use number 10? Martin?
Appearances ÷ Assists = Squad Number
Yay 😄
That equals 18.
Holy shit, you posted that!
I just re-posted it, but it’s in moderation. My eyesight is quite bad, and I thought it was a plus sign. I only checked with my glasses on when it got as thumbs down and realised it was a divide.
Sorry, you’re right, I thought that was a plus sign. My eyesight is worse than I realised.
Reading glasses are the way to go. Held out for about a year hoping Amazon would start selling longer arms.
Appearances + (plus) assists = 72
It’s 17 until it’s 18. That’s how it works.
Appearances ÷ Number of defensive errors = Remaining years at Arsenal.
I think there may be games where starting Zinchenko makes more sense than any of our other choices. No, I’d rather see someone else try to deal with Mo Salah. But, against a low block, especially when Jorginho is not in the midfield, Zinchenko moves into open areas, shows for the ball, and is best placed to get it to Martinelli or Havertz. I hope Califiori is so good that Zinchenko can be used only in spots, but I’m still happy he remains.
I prefer Ben White inverting from the right, as he makes better recovery runs when needed.
Yea sounds about right. Zinny is silky AF and as you say, keep him away from the elite wingers 1on1 and he’ll be a really important player for us this season. 17 is a good number, – COYG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You don’t even want him to train? Facing Saka or Martinelli.
That’s always been the argument for Zinchenko – unlocking low blocks. But therein lies his greatest weakness – a disaster at ball recovery. We saw it against Liverpool last season home and away and again last week in the preseason. We saw it against Villa. It’s not hard to imagine how well our season would have ended if he didn’t cost us those points. So with Jorginho, Timber and even Calafiori in the side, I do hope we see less and less of zinchenko or move him on completely.
Do you think Liverpool play a low block?
Low block or not , zinchenko is terrible at ball recovery, in fact over all defending.
It’s more about concentration with him than ability. He gets excited, gets sucked forward, doesn’t scan enough when he’s off ball and then he lets runners in behind. Still a midfielder at heart. When he’s switched on and stays disciplined then he can be an active, useful defensive presence. Up to him to iron out those lapses.
He should model himself after Kimmich, who is a similar sort of player.
Jorginho is how old now? He ain’t the future and will be used sparingly in the new season- only saw increased game time last year due to injuries and lack of alternatives at the position (something we’ve all known about midfield since before the rice signing). There will be another senior player added to midfield because we simply don’t have enough players there as it stands.
Jorgi started all the big games though
We need a very deep/big squad to compete this season as we return to winning trophies again.
And Alex Song before Nacho Man.
The number for Alex then!
Alex song, Alexis, Alex iwobi and now Alexander!
Hes not a left back, if hes needed (unlikely) on the left side of midfield then play him or to bring some energy from the bench.
17 also Manu Petit.
Shows you just how poor this transfer window has been for Arsenal when the biggest news is this..
If you want to win the transfer window there are a couple of mickey mouse clubs down the road who are always out to win the transfer window
What would be the perfect transfer window for you?
Think it’s been good if Merino is on the way, I don’t like any of the forwards we’ve been linked with bar neto. Think Solanke would be good, prefer him to Toney or the Swedish lad.
Agree it’s been underwhelming so far…both from being able to sell and also buy. Looks like another season with Eddie, Reiss and Aaron…giving average players (Aaron aside) “big contracts” to protect “the assets” in the transfer market just doesn’t work for Arsenal. No one will touch them due to the wages…you’d be mad to sign these guys with like a year left on their contracts…
In my opinion, the signing of Calafiori was bigger news than this.
It’s a high stakes poker game and we are keeping our cards close. Big talents will be on the move and we want to be ready. No reason to rush in.
Is good to retain Zinchenko. He is a midfielder. He was converted to left back at Man city. Now with Calafiory to occupy his position. And Kwior as his backup. He can move to midfield. With lot of matches to be played, he is going to reduce alot for the midfielders. Let him stay
More a case of no one will buy him!! But I too agree on never playing him at left back again. Why not give him a proper run in midfield…
Just play him in the number 10 role in cup games. Not sure what all the fuss is about lol he doesnt have the pace to play against any winger and its just going to cost us.
He remains a valued squad player who can play anywhere on the left side as a phase 1-2 specialist. I imagine he will start some cup games but as of now I think MA sees him primarily as an impact sub to add more penetration through the middle when we are pushing for goals. He can also come on as an extra midfielder just to help us keep the ball in winning game states. We are lucky to have him but not have to rely on him too much, a real sign of how far the squad has come. I… Read more »
I see it differently. He’s been a defensive liability and cost us games. Over the long run, not a great signing. If we are truly now being ruthless in squad building then we’d punt him asap – either loan or sell.
Yes he had some poor moments, but you have to think about both sides of the ball and the balance of the squad overall. Without Zinchenko you’re relying on Jorginho as your sole midfield metronome and deeper area ball progression specialist. It’s an important thing in our midfield because we are Rice-centric and that’s his only real area of weakness. He’s a great compliment to Rice in that sense.
You’re forgetting Partey?
Very different players
You say without Zinchenko you’re relying on jorghino as the “deeper area ball progression specialist”. I don’t think that’s true. Partey is our no.1 deeper area ball progression specialist…there’s a mouthful…
Now Ødegaard next!
Does this now mean he’ll hardly play but be in every photo?
You’ve got to admire the front of Cedric in this situation. Couldn’t get onto the pitch as a defender, but showed his skills defending his shirt number.
Maybe he thought that 17 was one of the more photogenic numbers?
Going to be tough for him to see the field with Timber, Calafiori and likely Tomiyasu (at a minimum) in front of him at left defender unless Arteta is willing to use him in different positions (say the midfield) as a sub.
I suspect he’ll still leave if a decent offer arrives, unless Arteta is planning on a back five for certain games?
I hope he doesn’t leave. I don’t want to get my shirt re-stamped a second time!
Oof…bad choice on shirt names…!
Think about profiles and skills, not positions on a team sheet. Zinchenko is a ball controller. His closest comp on the team is Jorginho, not anyone else who plays LB. He complements off ball types like Martinelli and Havertz and also balances out nicely with Rice.
Wot No John ‘Faxe’ Jensen? or David Hillier
This, poor JJ.
It’s the number corresponding to the Alphabet “Q”. Those who know, know!
Anon!
Zinchenko uses cyrilic. In Ukrainian alphabet, the 17th letter is M.