Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Oleksandr Zinchenko is coming to Arsenal. The Spanish expert pointed out that the Ukrainian is an exceptional football player and that he is glad that he will strengthen the team.
- He is with us in Orlando, some more formalities have to be completed in order to finalize everything about the transfer, but we are all extremely happy that he came. I know that footballer very well, he is an exceptional player and someone who will bring a competitive spirit to our dressing room – said Arteta, Sky reported.
Zinchenko will join Arsenal from Manchester City after the clubs agreed a £32m transfer.
He will be the London club’s fifth signing in the summer transfer window, after the arrivals of Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos. The only player who has left the club so far is Alexandre Lacazette.
At City under coach Pep Guardiola, Zinchenko played left-back, and on the international stage he played in midfield.
- He can play in both positions. At the beginning of his career, he was a natural number 10, and we moved him to left back at Manchester City, which can bring a lot to our way of playing. That versatility will be important for the team as we have players who are specific defenders and I am really happy – said Arteta.
- We have a big team, we have to make decisions about players who will not always get a chance, to be fair to them, and that process will start soon. We have to do it – added the coach of the London club.
On the pre-season tour of the USA, Arsenal achieved all four victories, the last one this morning, against Orlando City 3:1. The goals were scored by Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah and Rhys Nelson, while Facundo Torres scored for the American team.
Several Premier League clubs are touring the USA. Champion Manchester City beat America in Houston this morning with 2:1 goals from Kevin de Bruyne. City’s new footballer Erling Holland did not play.
Chelsea lost to Charlotte after the penalty shootout 5:3, as it was 1:1 in the regular part, and Everton lost to Minnesota United with 0:4.
