Guardiola’s 248-word Zinchenko verdict explains exactly why Arsenal are signing £30m star

Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Pep Guardiola has already explained why the player is special.
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Pep Guardiola has already summed up exactly why Mikel Arteta wants Oleksandr Zinchenko at Arsenal.

The Gunners are on the brink of pulling off a £30million deal for the versatile Ukrainian, with a deal already agreed in principle.

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It has been an exciting summer for Arsenal, with incomings aplenty, and they now look set to add a second City player having already signed Gabriel Jesus on a big-money deal.

Zinchenko has been with City since 2016, winning four Premier League titles and five domestic cups during that time.

But while he has played an important role, he has usually played a supplamentary role.

City won’t want to lose Zinchenko this summer, especially not with the midfielder showing brilliant form over the last season, but City have a croweded squad, and they have shown understanding to the player’s desire to play a bigger role elsewhere.

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Arsenal are getting a versatile player who is still only 25 years of age and coming off one of the best seasons of his career.

And as far as reasons behind the signing go, look no further than Guardiola’s glowing verdict of Zinchenko from April.

“In the position that we have in the midfield, in the pockets as the attacking midfielder. That is his position, definitely,” said the Spaniard.

“When we brough Oleks for £2million from Ukraine, he was a No.10 – a Phil Foden position, a creative player – but the needs we had… We didn’t have a left-back for many years.

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“Fabian Delph adapted incredibly well in that position and Oleks as well. That’s happened because he is well-educated, he knows exactly what it means. He adapted and said: ‘Okay, what does the team need? I’m going to do it.’

“He is a reliable player, honestly. Sometimes when he plays less or didn’t perform like normal, it’s because he’s a human being. What happens in his country, we cannot forget it. I know Oleks – the way he played is not necessary for us to know who he is.

Oleksandr Zinchenko. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty ImagesOleksandr Zinchenko. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images
Oleksandr Zinchenko. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images

“He is focused, a guy who handles the pressure, otherwise he would not have played the Final of the Champions League.

“We rely on him a lot but there are periods when other players are better or more confident in this specific moment of the season, and that’s why he maybe plays less in this point in the season.

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“But who knows who will help us to maybe win the Premier League and reach the Champions League Final… Who knows?

“People think ‘this player’ but sometimes it can be someone unexpected. That’s why everyone has to be ready and the glory will belong to them.”