Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko has been in the news a lot recently.
The Ukraine international joined the Gunners from Manchester City in the summer of 2022 and instantly became one of their most important players.
Zinchenko played a huge part in helping Arsenal become title contenders, but the versatile left-back had a very disappointing 2023/24 season.
That led to a lot of rumours claiming Zinchenko will be sold by Arsenal this summer, but it looks like that will no longer happen.
Arsenal officially announced on Tuesday that Zinchenko has changed his shirt number form 35 to 17.
Fans of the Emirates Stadium club are now convinced that the Ukrainian is staying beyond the end of the summer transfer window.
Arsenal fans react after Oleksandr Zinchenko’s shirt change announcement
Zinchenko has fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal following Riccardo Calafiori’s arrival, and it is very unlikely that he will be a regular starter in the 2024/25 season.
However, Arsenal fans are all saying the same thing after seeing his shirt change announcement – Zinchenko is staying at the club!
Reacting to the announcement, one Arsenal fan tweeted: “He’s not leaving!”
Another said: “Well, I guess that answers whether Zinchenko is leaving the club or not.”
“Looks like someone is staying next season and personally, it’s not a bad thing,” posted another Arsenal fan on X.
“Yeah, he ain’t going nowhere,” tweeted another.
Another fan said: “You probably wouldn’t change the squad number of a player you’re looking to move out this summer. Despite some of the rumours, it looks like Zinchenko is staying put. For what it’s worth, I still think he’s got plenty to offer the group.”
Arsenal are in a vulnerable position due to Zinchenko’s contract
We are not against keeping hold of Zinchenko at all.
The former Manchester City man is one of Arsenal’s most talented players on the ball. His ability in possession is unquestionable and he possesses the skill set required to unlock low-blocks.
However, the big problem here is that Zinchenko will have just one year left on his contract in the summer of 2025. That would put Arsenal in an extremely vulnerable position.
We’re not too fussed that Zinchenko is staying, but Edu Gaspar and his team need to tie him down to a new contract to protect his value beyond the end of this summer’s transfer window.
If they don’t Arsenal will have to push him out for a cheap fee in 2025 or potentially be prepared to lose him for nothing in the following year.
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