4 reasons why Oleksandr Zinchenko is the perfect Mikel Arteta signing

MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 04: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Manchester City reacts as he makes his way to the bench priro to kick off in the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Leg Two match between Real Madrid and Manchester City at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 04, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 04: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Manchester City reacts as he makes his way to the bench priro to kick off in the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Leg Two match between Real Madrid and Manchester City at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 04, 2022 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images) /
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4. A champion’s mentality

Zinchenko has won four Premier League titles at City. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Zinchenko has won four Premier League titles at City. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images) /

“The best teams have a killer instinct, and a mentality that is: here is only winning. Win today, tomorrow, the next day’s training and the following one,” Mikel Arteta recently said.

“That culture and that education has to be set. It takes a little bit of time and that’s what we need.

“The moment that is instilled, not only in the players but the staff around you – the coaches, the club, the director, the board and the crowd – then it is extremely powerful.”

For all of Arsenal’s promise shown under the Spanish boss, they were let down by inexperience and immaturity (as well as injuries, obviously) down the stretch last season. As Arteta notes, inculcating a ‘winning mentality’ into a group of young players will take time, but the arrival of a four-time Premier League champion should hasten that process.

While Zinchenko has never been at the forefront of City’s title victories, he’s still a winner who’s played in the very biggest games. He’s the perfect blend of exuberance and experience; the sort of player Arteta adores. He’d be the ultimate Mikel Arteta signing.