'It's a dream come true!' | Alex Zinchenko's First Interview at The Arsenal
Oleksandr Zinchenko has joined Arsenal on a long-term contract from Manchester City.
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Oleksandr Zinchenko has joined Arsenal on a long-term contract from Manchester City.
The 25-year-old brings huge experience of the Premier League and international football to Arsenal's squad, having made 128 appearances for Manchester City and playing 52 times for his country Ukraine.
Alex developed through the youth academy at Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk, moving to FC Ufa in Russia in 2015. After 31 appearances with FC Ufa, he signed for Manchester City in June 2016, spending the 2016/17 on loan at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, before returning to City the following season.
Left-sided player Alex, who is comfortable operating in midfield and defence, has won both the Premier League and League Cup four times. He has also won the FA Cup once and played in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final.
Technical Director Edu said: “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.”
Mikel Arteta added: “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.”
Alex becomes Arsenal's fifth new signing into their men’s first team squad this pre-season. He joins Gabriel Jesus, Marquinhos, Matt Turner and Fabio Vieira as new arrivals to the club.
Alex has already joined up with the squad at Arsenal's pre-season training camp in Orlando. His squad number will be announced in due course.
Everyone at Arsenal welcomes Alex and his family to the club.
