After weeks of speculation, Arsenal have finally completed the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City.
The Gunners moved to sign the Ukraine international after missing out on Lisandro Martinez, who eventually completed a move to Manchester United from Ajax.
As per Sky Sports, Arsenal paid 30m to Manchester City for Zinchenko, with the deal rising by a possible 2m due to add-ons. The 25-year-old is believed to have joined the Gunners on a four-year deal.
His announcement is only a mere formality as the player had already been spotted with the Gunners squad and even sat in the director’s box in their recent 3-1 pre-season victory over MLS side Orlando City.
Zinchenko’s arrival takes Arsenal’s summer spending to 120m and that might not be all, with the club still looking to make one or two more additions
Reactions after Zinchenko joins Arsenal
Given that the 25-year-old boasts ample Premier League experience, there was much positivity in the Gunners camp after the official announcement of the Ukrainian.
Technical Director Edu said: “I’m very pleased to see how we’re working as a team here in the club. We put a plan together early and Oleksandr Zinchenko was a main focus on our list. We’re pleased to have Alex with us now because he has the attributes which I’m sure are going to put our squad at a different level.”
Mikel Arteta added: “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.”
Alex becomes Arsenal’s fifth summer signing into our men’s first team squad this pre-season. He joins Gabriel Jesus, Marquinhos, Matt Turner and Fabio Vieira as new arrivals to the club.
Why Arsenal signed Zinchenko
Much has been made of Zinchenko’s versatility and how he can effectively play in a number of positions and formations. Head coach Mikel Arteta has categorically stated that the player’s tactical wealth was the reason they went for him.
There is the added basic fact that he already boasts Premier League experience and would not struggle to adapt at Arsenal. To go with, Arteta already has a relationship with the player, from his time at Manchester City, describing the 25-year-old as a proper and disciplined athlete.
