With clearout looming at Arsenal this summer, Oleksandr Zinchenko is set for another emotional parting with Mikel Arteta after three years with the Gunners following his move from Manchester City
Mikel Arteta
Oleksandr Zinchenko was gutted to see Mikel Arteta leave Manchester City for Arsenal
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Image: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
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An Arsenal star who shed tears when he was parted from Mikel Arteta is expected to be made available this summer.
Oleksandr Zinchenko developed a strong bond with Arteta during the pair’s time together at Manchester City. So much so that when Arteta, who had been Pep Guardiola's assistant, left the Etihad in 2019, the Ukrainian was crestfallen.
At the same time, he also vowed that should he ever leave City, it would be to work with Arteta. Sure enough, the pair were reunited in 2022 when he joined the Gunners.
"I remember when Mikel was leaving City, I didn't hold my emotions. I couldn't because this guy was so special to me,” Zinchenko told the Daily Mail in 2023.
"He taught me a lot, as a human being he was incredible and the way he was working with us young players after every single training session, the advice he was giving everyone, was something incredibly important for me."
He added: "I said to my circle, 'If one day I'm going to leave City and I'm going to stay in the Premier League, it will be only one manager: Mikel Arteta.’”
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Mikel Arteta
Arteta is willing to let Zinchenko leave the Gunners this summer
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Image:
Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
However, the 28-year-old may soon have to accept working with another manager. After making just 16 appearances this season, Zinchenko appears to be surplus to requirements given Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori's presence, plus the emergence of youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly.
Given his experience, Zinchenko, whose contract expires at the end of the 2025/26 season, would attract plenty of interest and could attract a decent fee. According to the Daily Mail, he is one of several players who will be released at the end of their deals or slapped on the transfer list this summer.
Gabriel Jesus and Takehiro Tomiyasu, who are both sidelined with long-term injuries, could be offloaded, although much will depend on their respective recoveries. Thomas Partey, Kieran Tierney and Jorginho are also likely to depart. The Gunners are looking to build a transfer war chest as they look to shed their tag of Premier League ‘nearly men’ in recent seasons.