Arsenal shirt numbers available to Mykhaylo Mudryk amid winger’s transfer admission

Mykhaylo Mudryk continues to be linked with a move to Arsenal ahead of the January transfer window.

The Ukrainian has grabbed attention with his performances for club and country, particularly impressing for Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League. Mudryk is being tipped for a huge future, still only 21, and his name is expected to feature in headlines aplenty in the lead up to - and likely during - the January transfer window.

The Evening Standard have claimed Arsenal are already in talks over the winger, with Shakhtar lowering their asking price to around £85million. Meanwhile, other reports have claimed a deal could be done for around £60million plus £15million in add-ons.

Other clubs could yet enter the race, but the good news for Arsenal is that the winger has already shown a willingness to join the Gunners. “I check on Arsenal in ‘myscore’ & know when they’re playing I can check on them,” he has previously said. “I also watch them too. (Arsenal are) a very dynamic side, in general not just in controlling possession but also in scoring goals.

“From a purely theoretical fantasy perspective, if there was the option of being a bench player for Real Madrid or a starter for Arsenal, I’d probably choose Arsenal, but it’s a tough question that involves a lot of factors. I would first want to know from the head coach that even if I wasn’t a guaranteed starter, that I’d receive a chance. Essentially I need to hear directly from the manager what he envisages my role to be in his side.

“One surprise for me was how many Arsenal fans followed me. No other club’s fans have interacted as much as them. Telling me that they are waiting for me, saying ‘Come to us’. One of my recent posts has over 500 comments saying that.”

If Mudryk did make the move to Arsenal, he would not have too many options available to him in terms of shirt number. His current number, 10, is not available, and neither is his previous Shakhtar number, 20. The winger has worn 91 regularly in the past, and that number would be available, but high numbers are not particularly fashionable in the Premier League. The number 14 has also popped up regularly, but that too is taken at the Emirates Stadium.

Currently available are the numbers 28, 29, 32 and 36. Along with that number 91, there are a few numbers available above 40, but Mudryk would not be likely to select any of those high digits should he sign.