Mikel Arteta identifies powerful Oleksandr Zinchenko trait that makes an him ideal signing

Arsenal manager Mikel Areteta says the signing of versatile Ukraine player Oleksandr Zinchenko will provide his team with a different quality trait that they did not have in the past.

The Gunners capped off an impressive preseason campaign with an emphatic 6-0 thrashing of Sevilla with new signings Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gbariel Jesus all impressing on their home debut.

Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus looks to have settled in well but it’s Oleksandr Zinchenko signing that excites the manager.Arteta says he’s looking forward to having his unique mentality that saw him fight his way from being an outsider to a key member of Pep Guardiola’s side is something he is looking forward to having in the dressing room.

When he arrived in England he was a number 10 and enjoyed creating goals, but the level of competition at Manchester City meant he had to adapt his game and he settled for a role at left-back which eventually gave him a chance at winning trophies and writing his name in Premier League history books.

“He gives us winning and winning is the only thing and winning in the right way. He is a professional and very demanding boy and he demands a lot from himself and he demands a lot from his teammates,” Arteta told the press after the Emirates Cup triumph at the Emirates.

“I know him very well and he brings different quality that we did not have in the team and he brings so many options.

“ He is very good in spaces and I’m really happy that we have him here with us.”

Everything pointing to a good start for the Gunners this time around

Last season the Gunners had to recover from a disastrous start to eventually finish fifth, missing out on Champions League football narrowly.

Arsenal have maintained a good level of consistency throughout this preseason and manager Mikel Arteta is hoping that they can take it into the season.

“I know we had different tests but we are happy with the way things have gone but that is football. We hope that we get the start and continue because there are certainly things that we can improve on.”

The Gunners manager also hinted that he was looking to still add to his squad before the transfer window closed even though he wasn’t too dissatisfied.

“If the window allows us we will try and add to it but let’s see how it goes.”

Arsenal begin their 2022/2023 Premier League season at Crystal Palace on Friday before games against Leicester and Bournemouth follow.