Should Arsenal let Zinchenko join AC Milan to free up wages and space for a new left-back star?

Oleksandr Zinchenko has not had a quiet spell in north London. When he joined Arsenal in the summer of 2022 for £30m from Manchester City, many expected him to become a mainstay in Mikel Arteta’s side. His first season pointed in that direction. He played with confidence, provided solutions inside and out, and quickly integrated into the team’s style of play.

But that dynamic was undone the following year. Physical problems, a noticeable loss of rhythm, and the emergence of other players pushed him to the back of the queue. The Ukrainian full-back finished the 2024/25 campaign with just 761 minutes in 23 games. An almost testimonial role for a player of his salary and trajectory.

Now, as reported by Corriere dello Sport, AC Milan want to sign him this summer to replace the imminent departure of Theo Hernandez to Saudi football. The Italian club sees Zinchenko as a short-term solution.

His versatility, European experience and technical profile attract them. But there is an obstacle. The player’s salary, one of the highest at Arsenal, complicates the deal. That is why his agents are already negotiating with the Rossoneri, and there is a possibility that the full-back will accept a salary reduction in order to sign for the Italians.

Opinion:

From Arsenal’s point of view, it makes perfect sense to let him go. Zinchenko has barely featured for Arteta this season. If he has no place in the system and has not been able to regain his best form, forcing him to stay does not make sense.

Moreover, releasing his contract would allow for some financial breathing space in the squad. With the departure of Kieran Tierney already assumed, the left-back position needs some fresh air. Jurrien Timber could play there in certain games, but the club needs a permanent option.

If the Ukrainian leaves, Arsenal not only recoups wage space, but could also redirect some of the income or savings to find a full-back with more depth or better defensive guarantees. There are options on the market that have been on the market for some time.

Zinchenko has been a good professional, but his impact has diminished. He has failed to sustain the level of his first season. Moreover, in a team that wants to fight for everything, you can’t have gaps filled by players who don’t perform or don’t fit the current plan. Milan are offering him a new opportunity, a worthy exit at a big club.

And Arsenal, for their part, have the chance to close a cycle without drama. It is a smart decision for both parties. Freeing up his contract could allow them to go for a more physical, more stable full-back, and one that better suits the demands of the defensive unit. If the deal goes well, it could even help finance a more ambitious reinforcement in another area of the pitch. Arsenal have room to think big, and the departure of Zinchenko, if well managed, could be the first step.