Nottingham Forest have raided Arsenal on transfer deadline day, completing a season-long loan deal for Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Nottingham Forest have cast doubt over Nuno Espirito Santo’s future, and he didn’t exactly silence the rumours on Sunday.
Forest were beaten 3-0 at home by West Ham United, suffering a heavy defeat at the City Ground as West Ham ran riot late on.
Forest have responded with the signing of Brazilian defender Cuiabano, who follows Botafogo teammate John Victor to Nottingham.
Juventus defender Nicolo Savona also joined Forest over the weekend, with Forest pulling off a handful of late signings.
Forest have also pounced to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko, snapping up the Arsenal defender on loan for the season.
Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur: Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
Premier League rule will delay Oleksandr Zinchenko’s Nottingham Forest debut
Zinchenko was a huge addition for Arsenal in 2022, reuniting with Mikel Arteta after their time together at Manchester City.
The Ukrainian played a key part in Arsenal’s rise to consistent title challengers, but has fallen down the pecking order.
Zinchenko now heads to Forest and will offer competition at left-back and in midfield, where he has played for Ukraine.
The 28-year-old will now play for Ukraine against France and Azerbaijan this week, but will have to wait even longer for his Forest debut.
Forest’s next Premier League game comes against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, meaning Zinchenko will not be allowed to play.
Rule V.7.2 in the Premier League handbook states that a player cannot play against their parent club unless given written permission.
‘During the period of the Temporary Transfer of his contract registration a Player shall not play against the Transferor Club unless the Transferor Club and the Transferee Club agree in writing that the Player can play against the Transferor Club,’ the rule states.
That permission is almost never given, and Arsenal would be unlikely to allow Zinchenko to play.
The Gunners are targeting the Premier League title this season, and Mikel Arteta would be foolish to even consider allowing Zinchenko to play against Arsenal.
This rule is fairly standard across most leagues now, meaning Zinchenko’s Forest debut will be delayed.
When could Oleksandr Zinchenko make his Nottingham Forest debut?
Zinchenko won’t be in action against Arsenal, so he may need to wait until 20 September to make his first appearance.
Forest hit the road to take on Burnley on that day, with Zinchenko in contention to feature.
Forest will then play their first Europa League game of the season, travelling to take on Real Betis away from home.
Nuno’s side face three away games in a row after the international break, so Zinchenko’s home debut can only come against Sunderland on 27 September at the absolute earliest.
After falling down the pecking order at Arsenal, Zinchenko will be keen to prove his quality in the Premier League once again – and potentially aim for a permanent Arsenal exit next summer.