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Oleksandr Zinchenko explains reason behind shirt number change
- Oleksandr Zinchenko has a new shirt number for the 2024/25 season
- Zinchenko will switch from #35 to #17
- Some had expected the Ukrainian to leave the club this summer
Well, I suppose this puts to an end any hope supporters had that Oleksandr Zinchenko would be leaving Arsenal this summer.
The Ukrainian international will be donning a new number for the 2024/25 season, switching from #35 to #17.
A critical figure in the club's 2022/23 season having joined from Manchester City, Zinchenko saw his importance diminish last term as he emerged as a defensive liability. His Premier League minutes were down from 2,136 to 1,725 with the novelty of his inverted role wearing off. The final straw for many was his shoddy display during the fatal 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa in April which ultimately cost the club the Premier League title.
His downturn in form and inability to defend elite performers one-v-one meant the idea of parting ways with Zinchenko was one that appealed to factions of the fanbase, and an indifferent pre-season combined with Riccardo Calafiori's arrival may have rendered the former City defender as disposable. However, his number change would suggest that Zinchenko is readying for the new campaign in north London.
Oleksandr Zinchenko explains reason behind shirt number change
💬 "The number 17 is a very special number to me. It's why I wear it for my country."
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 6, 2024
Zinchenko makes the change from 35 to 17 👇
Arsenal have confirmed that Zinchenko will don a familiar shirt for the upcoming season. The Ukrainian has ditched the #35 he's worn throughout his Premier League career in favour of #17, previously worn by Cedric Soares at the Emirates.
“The number 17 is a very special number to me. It was the number I wore as a young player, and I’ve always requested to wear 17 when playing for my country," Zinchenko told arsenal.com.
“With 17 being free since Cedric left, I asked if I could change, and thanks to everyone at the club for supporting me."
He also confirmed that anyone who had bought a new 2024/25 Zinchenko #35 shirt can exchange it for his new number, although I would think there haven't been too many that opted for the Ukrainian as their shirt pick for the upcoming season.
Nevertheless, the shirt switch does all but confirm the club's intention to retain Zinchenko this summer despite Calafiori's arrival. If a left-sided defender does depart, it will be Jakub Kiwior. However, the former City star will find it hard to earn minutes next term given the array of options at Arteta's disposal.
Could he be a potential midfield option for the Arsenal boss?
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