Arsenal dealt transfer blow as Borussia Dortmund sack manager – Mikel Arteta’s plans could be ruined

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Arsenal are in the middle of a congested period both on and off the pitch as games come thick and fast and so do transfer opportunities.

As Mikel Arteta’s side prepare to face Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates Stadium, they will be hoping to take a giant step towards automatic qualification for the last-16 of the Champions League.

Things are heating up in the transfer market too, Arsenal are evaluating a move for Dusan Vlahovic but are hoping that Juventus reduce their asking price for the Serbian striker.

Arsenal have also been exploring a move for Douglas Luiz but Arteta’s transfer plans could be scuppered with the decision by Borussia Dortmund to sack Nuri Sahin.

READ MORE: Predicted Arsenal lineup and XI vs Dinamo Zagreb as Mikel Arteta receives Ethan Nwaneri injury boost

Borussia Dortmund interested in Oleksandr Zinchenko

Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing Oleksandr Zinchenko in a deal worth around £17m. It remains to be seen whether the decision to sack Sahin has any influence on this deal.

Arteta would have allowed Zinchenko to leave the club given his lack of opportunities this season and could have used the transfer fee and squad place to bring in fresh faces.

Concrete talks had taken place between Dortmund and Zinchenko but the German club were also interested in Renato Veiga of Chelsea.

Should Dortmund’s new manager have other transfer plans, it could scupper potential incomings at Arsenal and impact on the future of defender Jakub Kiwior.

Zinchenko’s opportunities at Arsenal are decreasing

Despite making a huge impact upon his arrival at the Gunners, Zinchenko has found it hard to break into Arteta’s plans this season. The Ukrainian international has made just 12 appearances across all competitions.

Myles Lewis-Skelly’s emergence at left back has provided another obstacle for Zinchenko to overcome and despite Zinchenko’s ability to play in midfield, it seems Arteta is reluctant to utilise him in that role.

Whatever the future holds for Zinchenko, he will no doubt remain professional and give everything to the Arsenal cause until he is told otherwise.

With the Gunners fighting for elusive silverware this season, who would rule Oleksandr Zinchenko out of having one last major impact in North London before he leaves?