Zinchenko Reunites With Arteta At Arsenal

Ukrainian star Oleksandr Zinchenko has signed a four-year deal at Arsenal for a reported fee of £30m plus £2m in add-ons.

The Gunners announced the transfer on their website on Friday.

Zinchenko, 25, will be reunited with Mikel Arteta, after the pair worked together when the Spaniard was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City between 2016 and 2019.

He becomes Arsenal’s fifth following the acquisition of Gabriel Jesus, Marquinhos, Matt Turner and Fabio Vieira.

“Oleksandr Zinchenko has joined us on a long-term contract from Manchester City,” part of the statement from Arsenal read.

“The 25-year-old brings huge experience of the Premier League and international football to our squad, having made 128 appearances for Manchester City and playing 52 times for his country Ukraine.

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“Alex developed through the youth academy at Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk, moving to FC Ufa in Russia in 2015. After 31 appearances with FC Ufa, he signed for Manchester City in June 2016, spending the 2016/17 on loan at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, before returning to City the following season.

“Left-sided player Alex, who is comfortable operating in midfield and defence, has won both the Premier League and League Cup four times. He has also won the FA Cup once and played in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final.“

Arsenal have been keen to sign a left-sided defender this transfer window and initially targeted Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez.

However, Martinez is set to join Manchester United which forced the Gunners to turn their attention to Zinchenko.

Speaking on the signing of Zinchenko, Arteta said:“We’re so happy Alex has joined us. 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.”

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