Oleksandr Zinchenko arrived in north London with firm promise. Hailing from Manchester City, he slotted into Mikel Arteta’s scheme with an ease that surprised even the most sceptical. His impact was immediate. From his debut, The Ukranian provided balance, fluidity and attacking presence on the left for Arsenal.
During the 2022-23 season, he was a vital cog in the title race. However, that initial brilliance has been waning. Injuries have limited his minutes and tactical changes have accelerated his displacement from the starting eleven. Today, the 28-year-old Ukrainian appears to be living out his final days as an Arsenal player.
28-year-old Arsenal Player Close To A Move Away From The Emirates
As Caught Offside reports, several European clubs have shown concrete interest in signing Zinchenko. With a year left on his contract, Arsenal would be willing to sell him for between £10m and £15m. The full-back, who can also play in midfield, has attracted attention from the likes of AC Milan, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund. In Italy, Milan appear to be the most active, already in talks with the player’s entourage, while La Vecchia Signora rate him as a safe option should they fail to close their primary targets. Dortmund, for their part, had already asked for him in January.
Opinion:
Is Arsenal’s £10-15 million asking price for Zinchenko fair? Yes and no. On the one hand, we are talking about a versatile player, with international experience and who has competed at the highest level in the Premier League. In that sense, his profile should command a higher price. But there is also the other side: his medical record is not clean, and in the last year he has lost prominence. That figure, then, presents itself as a logical market assessment, especially when taking into account his £5m annual salary, a factor that can scare off suitors if not negotiated down.
Letting Zinchenko go is a tactical rather than an emotional decision. Lewis-Skelly, at just 17, has shown outstanding ability and has won Arteta’s confidence. Added to that is the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori, who strengthens the left-sided profile with a more solid presence.
In this context, the departure of the Ukrainian seems inevitable. However, losing a player with Zinchenko’s reading of the game and technical ability is no small matter. His ability to float between defence and midfield gave Arsenal a particular tactical flexibility, especially against opponents who close down at the back.
If his transfer to clubs such as AC Milan or Juventus finally materialises, Arsenal will lose a figure who, although he had been secondary, offered different solutions. However, the club does not appear to be leaving a void without a plan.
The investment in young talent, such as Hato, and the current squad depth indicate that there is a structure in place to function without him. Zinchenko, meanwhile, may find the space in Italy or Germany that he no longer has in London. A new environment, with less physical pressure, might even extend his career. But at Arsenal, the cycle has run out.
