Mikel Arteta says Oleksandr Zinchenko will bring versatility and a serious work ethic to Arsenal after the Ukrainian became the club’s fifth signing of the summer.
Zinchenko arrives from Manchester City having played most of his football in England as a left-back but it’s widely expected the 25-year-old will be asked to do more than provide competition to Kieran Tierney at the Emirates.
For his country, he regularly plays in midfield and Arteta, who worked with the player for two years while a coach at the Etihad, has previously referenced Zinchenko’s background as number 10.
“We’re so happy Alex has joined us,” Arteta told Arsenal.com.
“He’s a player that I personally know really well and continued to follow him after my time at Manchester City. Alex is a high quality player who will give us options and versatility.
“It’s not only about the positions he can play but as well, the versatility he will give us in attack and defence. Alex is a person with great human qualities and character, and I’m delighted that everyone has made this huge effort to bring Alex to the club.”
The boss clearly believes he’s snapped up a player of serious quality but it’s Zinchenko’s hard-working mentality that left a serious impression during their time together at City.
“Who he is as a person, what he stands for, the strong character that he has, and then the passion that he has for this game,” said Arteta explaining why the new acquisition was so appealing.
“It’s something that I will never forget because he was always the first one in training (at City), the first one to get out the balls, the first one to practise, the first one to always demand for more, his level of attention, and decide to play at the highest level and fulfil his potential.
“It’s something, and a quality, that in my opinion for any footballer is something unique.”
We are building a team of young but experienced leaders. Love this strategy.
Yeah. And I really, really like how we moved on this one.
We took a shot at a dream signing but bowed out when things got a little too rich for our blood. Then immediately pursued our (I’m sure close) second on the list.
It’s the kind of planning that we used to dream Wenger could establish.
It also makes me excited for who we move for at WF. Raphinha was obviously the Martinez of that role. So I’m very interested to see who our Zinchenko WF is.
Great work gents. On to the next!
J4H on the comments like Cedric on every goal celebration!
Haha! Like it.
Was it a ploy to jack up the price of Martinez? I believe the scouting team knows which team will go for which player and how to gain an advantage by pushing in certain directions. I am happy to have Alex than having Martinez! A job well done to everyone at the club.
If it was then that’s absolutely rad.
We won’t know until Mikel’s book – QuadTeta – is released in 2025.
I hope “QuadTeta” will be more informative than Arsène’s book. Had looked forward to it for such a long time… but to my disappointment no previously-untold secrets were revealed. The only (mild) “controversy” was Mourinho’s reaction to his having been completely ignored, with not even a passing reference to him in it. That did make me chuckle a little.
I love the focus on character that Mikel seems to be instilling. Gone are the days of hoping your mercurial superstar fancies a trip up to Newcastle on a Monday night.
Probably shouldn’t be in EPL, a highly motivated league. I don’t blame Klopp for not extending Mane as that was a huge risk in my opinion and for the money
You’re one the wrong fan site, bud
Recruiting head boys. I like.
A few okay but please not all of them:D
What you’re suggesting is that we add a badboy into the mix? Bring back TGSTEL
One more position left to be filled is a midfielder to compete directly or play in sync with Partey. Then we are set in terms of fixing the glaring holes we had last many seasons.
I think this season it’s Mo and Sambi, and I’m fine with that.
£30m for a prem-ready 25 year old who’s played at the highest level, and yet to hit his peak, is a huge bargain.
I don’t think Lisandro Martinez is twice the player he is considering his price. We may even end up with the better player in the long run.
remains to be seen if lisandro is half the player. this is an astute signing, I have no doubt!
This comment will age well
We’re only a couple of signings (and half a dozen outgoings) away from this being the best window I’ve ever experienced as an Arsenal fan.
You are correct bro, here’s the place to find you all the time 😁😁
Haha. True that
I think we might be done. and I might be ok with it. we almost finished 4th and we’ve certainly strengthened. the same can’t be said for a lot of teams around us. flooding a team with née players brings its own problems
New*
This is a very good signing. It provides much-needed cover for the injury-prone Tierney and also gives us an option in midfield. Plus Zinchenco is the perfect age and has tons of Premier League experience. Arteta now has to think about what he’s going to do about the right-back position, where he has exactly the same problem.
The next big signing has to be another striker. We were desperately short of goals last season and need someone to put the ball in the net. A big, strong target-man would be a fantastic addition.
Another striker? Not happening!!
Why not? An injury to GJ and we have only Nketiah to rely on, it’s not enough.
I would like to see Pepe moved on if possible and a winger signing of the Zinchenko type to compete for the two wide attacking positions, that’s where I see a lot of potential to increase the goal count.
I hear you, but i cant see another striker being bought. Jesus bigger than our wildest dream. I think soneone like a balagun or an academy kid has to stay for this very reason.EL, league cup, fa cup blah blah
Signing Zinchenko pure class. Not as first choice LB, behave, thats KT all day long, but he can obvs fill in there when needed. CM is his destination. From my armchair, fantastic
summer signings on so many levelse.
Lets just give them all some time and i include Arteta on that.
COYG
Gone are the days when fatgooner had to be negative about everything.
Says who?!!!😡
Imagine a day fatgooner being positive about everything.
Don’t be stupid
Aaah Fats.
I was with you all the way until that last paragraph.
Why did you have to go and spoil it?
We love our Ukrainian so very much. Welcome, Zinchenko
“The first one to get out the balls.” Hmmm, maybe he really likes balls?