Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta described Aleksandar Zinchenko as an “exceptional footballer” ahead of his £32million move from Manchester City.
Speaking after the 3-1 win over Orlando City on the Gunners’ pre-season tour of the US, Arteta said: “As you saw, he’s here [in Orlando]. There are still a few formalities to complete, but we’re really happy to have it.
“I know the player very well, he is an outstanding footballer and he is someone who will bring us another competitive edge in this dressing room.”
Arteta also shed light on where he could deploy the Ukraine international, who played at left-back under Pep Guardiola and is used as a midfielder at international level. “He can play in both,” added Arteta.
“He was a natural number 10 at the start of his career and we converted him to left-back [at Manchester City], which can do a lot of things we want in our gameplay. That flexibility is something that will be important for the team because we have players in that position who are more specific full-backs, so I’m really happy.
“[Versatility] is one of the things and the way we can adapt structures, formations and rotations in the lineup and play the same players differently. Obviously, it’s important to be more unpredictable, and that’s why we hired employees [versatile] players.”
“We have a big team, things have to happen”
Zinchenko will be Arsenal’s fifth signing of the summer following the signings of Gabriel Jesus (£45m), Fabio Vieira (£34m), Matt Turner (£7.5m) and Marquinhos (£3m), while Alexandre Lacazette remains the only one to leave the first team.
“We have a big squad,” added Arteta. “We have to make some decisions about the players we’re not going to use permanently and be honest and open with them and that’s a process that will start very soon well.
“We have to and now we have to make things happen.
Orlando City 1-3 Arsenal
Arsenal made it four wins from four in pre-season as second-half goals from Eddie Nketiah and Rhys Nelson gave the Gunners a 3-1 victory over Orlando City. Gabriel Martinelli gave Mikel Arteta’s side an early lead. The home side then leveled as half-time approached, but Nketiah and Nelson struck after the break to seal victory.
Why versatile, reliable Zinchenko fits the bill at Arsenal
Sky Sports football journalist Sam Blitz:
“Mikel Arteta is looking to add left-back and central midfield this summer transfer window. The Gunners wanted Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez, who has experience playing in both positions as well as at centre-half, but now looks destined for Manchester United. Leicester City’s Youri Tielemans has also been looked at, but that interest has cooled in recent weeks.
“There is a reason why the Arsenal manager needs support in this role. At left-back, Kieran Tierney has suffered long-term injuries over the past two seasons at crucial moments and while Nuno Tavares was signed as cover last summer, the young Portuguese full-back has struggled in the big moments and found himself behind Cedric Soares and Granit Xhaka in the left-back pecking order in the end of the season.
“In midfield, Xhaka is a mainstay in Arteta’s team, but there is little competition for his specific role. Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga all compete for the same position at the heart of Arsenal’s midfield, leaving Xhaka in the number 8 role.
“If he plays in midfield, a role he plays regularly at international level, Zinchenko will compete with Xhaka at Arsenal – and a closer look at their respective heat maps last season shows that the two play in the same area of the pitch, although the Ukrainian played as a left-back and the Arsenal man operated from midfield.
“On the ball, Zinchenko’s passing stats are better than Xhaka’s – but that’s to be expected given that Guardiola’s City keep the ball and use it better than Arsenal. Zinchenko and City defended much less than Arsenal last summer, but the Ukraine international’s defensive stats still trump Xhaka’s. Zinchenko won more tackles, crosses and aerial challenges than the Swiss midfielder – a reminder that the two players operate in roughly the same area of the pitch.”
Read the full feature here.
Pep: Zinchenko’s influence is huge
Pep Guardiola hailed Oleksandr Zinchenko’s influence at Manchester City and said the Ukraine international’s success at Arsenal will be shared by his former club.
Ahead of Zinchenko’s move to the Emirates, the City boss said: “Like Gabriel [Jesus] and Rahim [Sterling]the impact of these three players over the years I’ve been here has been huge.
“So we will miss them. They are exceptional players, but in different circumstances they move on.
“Chelsea and Arsenal are two incredible clubs and the success and happiness they have there will be ours.
“From myself and I think on behalf of the club, our thanks for their efforts and the way they conduct themselves on and off the pitch.
“Yesterday was good with Olex because we could say goodbye properly. Unfortunately, Rahim and Gabriel and I couldn’t do it because it was summer, but we were able to say goodbye to him yesterday at dinner together.
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