Official: Arsenal confirm signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City

Arsenal have announced the arrival of Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has penned a four-year deal with the club.

The Gunners had an interest in acquiring Zinchenko earlier this summer before their attentions turned to Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez. However, when it became clear that the Argentine would be unattainable – and he has since joined Manchester United – Arsenal reverted to Zinchenko and quickly wrapped up a deal.

It didn’t take long for the club to strike an agreement with City, while personal terms were never going to be an issue on the player’s behalf.

It’s a move that’s got everybody excited.

Arsenal announce signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City

Zinchenko was in attendance on Wednesday night as Arsenal downed Orlando City 3-1 in the second leg of their US tour. Speaking after the match, manager Mikel Arteta was visibly excited by the prospect of reuniting with the 25-year-old after working with him at City.

An official announcement from the club regarding ZInchenko’s arrival came on Friday evening, with a statement reading that the Ukrainian has joined the Gunners on a “long-term contract”.

Excited by his arrival, Mikel Arteta said: “We’re so happy Alex has joined us. He’s a player that I personally know really well and continued to follow him after my time at Manchester City. Alex is a high-quality player who will give us options and versatility. It’s not only about the positions he can play but as well, the versatility he will give us in attack and defence. Alex is a person with great human qualities and character, and I’m delighted that everyone has made this huge effort to bring Alex to the club.”

Adding on to the boss, technical director Edu noted: “I’m very pleased to see how we’re working as a team here in the club. We put a plan together early and Oleksandr Zinchenko was a main focus on our list. We’re pleased to have Alex with us now because he has the attributes which I’m sure are going to put our squad at a different level.”

Zinchenko arrives in north London having won four Premier League titles at the Etihad. He was an understated but nonetheless influential figure in City’s recent success under Pep Guardiola, and there’s no doubting that he’ll provide plenty for the Arteta project.

The Ukrainian international is versatile enough to perform multiple functions in the Spaniard’s control-oriented system and, on the surface, this looks like a match made in heaven. For £32m, Arsenal certainly can’t complain.