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Much has been said on Oleksandr Zinchenko’s preferred playing position and Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has weighed in on the topic.
THE LOWDOWN: NEW FACE AT THE EMIRATES
Even though we are yet to see an official announcement, we can easily say Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal is a done deal. Earlier in the week, we reported about Arsenal coming to an agreement with Manchester City in a £35million deal to sign the Ukraine international.
That fee will take Arsenal’s summer spending to around £120m. Zinchenko will also become the second Manchester City player to join Arsenal this summer and will reunite with former teammate Gabriel Jesus at the Emirates.
Fans did not need to wait for an official announcement as Zinchenko was spotted with the Arsenal squad in their most recent pre-season outing against Orlando City, where the Gunners ran out 3-1 winners.
Much has been made of the player’s versatility and how he offers Arteta a lot to work with. The big question is: where would his best position be for Arsenal?
THE LATEST: ARTETA SHEDS MORE LIGHT
As expected, Mikel Arteta was faced with a couple of questions post-match and there was no way he could have escaped answering one on Zinchenko.
Asked about the latest arrival at the Emirates, Arteta responded:
“Yeah, as you’ve seen he is here. There are still a few formalities to get everything completed but we’re really happy to have him. I know the player really well, he’s an exceptional footballer and he is someone that is going to bring as well another competitive edge to that dressing room.”
Pressed further about Zinchenko’s versatility, Arteta did not exactly give anything away but pretty much confirmed what was already known to everyone.
He added: “Both, he can play in both. He was a natural No. 10 early in his career and we converted him into a left back which can do a lot of things that we want in our way of playing. That versatility is something that is going to be important for the team because we have players in that position who are more specific full back so I’m really happy.”
THE VERDICT: LEFT BACK LOOKING LIKELY
As it stands, the chances of Zichenko featuring as a No.10 for Arsenal are almost unimaginable. Asides from Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe is lying in wait and new signing Fabio Vieira has joined the mix as well.
However, with Kieran Tierney still struggling with fitness issues and with Nuno Tavares strongly expected to leave the club on loan, he could come in as a direct replacement/contender for the left-back role.
However it may be, he would come as an asset for Mikel Arteta and his versatility means he can effectively suit a number of formations.
