Manager admits he ‘couldn’t imagine’ 25-year-old star signing for Arsenal

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Oleksandr Zinchenko has made an ‘excellent’ decision swapping Premier League champions Manchester City for a fresh start at Arsenal, the Ukraine international’s former FC Ufa coach Yevgeny Perevertaylo tells R Sport. 

Some of Arsenal’s most inspired signings in recent years have concerned talented footballers struggling for regular game-time at a bonafide European superclub. 

And if Zinchenko can emulate the impact of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Martin Odegaard, that hefty price-tag will start to feel like £32 million very well spent.

The former PSV Eindhoven loanee has never made more than 15 starts in a single Premier League season. Zinchenko can expect to at least double that tally at Arsenal, however, after reuniting with Gabriel Jesus and Mikel Arteta in North London. 

Arsenal sign Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City

“Sasha has been in demand for a long time. In addition, he proved himself well in the national team. Apparently, the time has come to play more often,” says Perevertaylo, who coached a teenage Zinchenko at FC Ufa. 

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“I think Arsenal is the team he suits. A good option. I would even say, excellent; To become a regular player in the starting line-up at the age of 25 and confirm his ambitions.”

Zinchenko rose to prominence playing in a number ten role at Ufa. It is a testament to his versatility and technical ability, however, that the Ukranian would establish himself in Man City’s star-studded squad as a more-than-capable left-back. 

And while some have suggested that Zinchenko will revert to a more central role at Arsenal – in more ways than one – Arteta indicated before the 4-0 pre-season thumping of Chelsea that the 25-year-old will be utilised in a wider role at the Emirates too. 

“Of course, when we worked together at Ufa, I could not imagine that his career would develop in this way. (Even if I) understood that Sasha had a good future,” Perevertaylo adds. 

“That he’s played at the highest level, proven himself at a top club, is down to him. He achieved all this through character and desire.” 

Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

 
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