Nottingham Forest made a late play on transfer deadline day with the capture of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Arsenal.
Nuno Espirito Santo got the final pieces of his Forest squad sorted, although Edu didn’t sanction a move for Adama Traore.
Evangelos Marinakis will hold talks with Espirito Santo during the international break, with tensions rising between the two figures in recent weeks.
Forest signed four players on deadline day shortly after a 3-0 defeat to West Ham, and Espirito Santo can’t say that the squad isn’t in a better place than it was last season.
Dilane Bakwa was the big Forest signing on deadline day, but the addition of Zinchenko came completely out of the blue.
Forest announced Zinchenko after the deadline, after a deal sheet was submitted with just minutes remaining of the transfer window.
The 30-year-old has won the Premier League on four occasions with Manchester City, and his experience in a relatively young dressing room could prove ideal.
After Zinchenko’s first words as a Forest player, we spoke to Rosie Tudball from Arsenal Insider for some more information on the Ukrainian player and his move to the City Ground.
Oleksandr Zinchenko in action during Arsenal vs Villarreal.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
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Arsenal expert delivers verdict on Oleksandr Zinchenko move to Nottingham Forest
NFN: Why have Arsenal decided to let Zinchenko go?
RT: “Zinchenko is on a £200k-a-week contract at Arsenal, which helped to lure him from Man City, but since becoming a squad player, it’s become clear that Arsenal needed to shift him.
“Added to that, he’s been quite public with his desire to play more, so for the player, and for Arsenal, it was the right thing to let him go, it’s just a shame it’s not a permanent deal.”
NFN: What is the player’s best position?
RT: “Though Zinchenko played predominantly at left-back for Arsenal, he’s really impactful in central midfield. He often played the inverted role when out on the left, and his technical ability allows him to do so.”
NFN: What major weaknesses does Zinchenko have?
RT: “Defending, which is ironic for a defender. He’s poor in 1v1 situations, fails to track his man, and often gets caught upfield and fails to retreat. His lack of physicality, though, I believe, is what led Arteta to replace him with the likes of Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber.”
NFN: Is there a possibility of a permanent move if he does well at Forest?
RT: “Absolutely, he is out of contract at Arsenal in the summer, which makes this loan move quite frustrating as the Gunners will now miss out on getting some funds from his departure.”
NFN: Has there been a big moment or highlight for Zinchenko at Arsenal?
RT: “There hasn’t been one moment specifically, but his first season at the club was a turning point for Arteta’s project. Zinchenko’s mentality, having come from City, where he won four league titles, seemed to bolster the dressing room.”
NFN: What is the major strength that Zinchenko possesses?
RT: “His technical ability is sublime; I’d go as far as to say he’s one of the most technically gifted players in the Arsenal squad. His footballing IQ is very high when going forward, he can play an untraceable pass, he’s skilful, and he can score some pretty outrageous goals. When Arsenal found themselves against a low blow last season, he was efficient in refreshing the approach. When he plays with freedom and confidence, he can be a difference-maker.”