Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko has now announced that he will change his shirt number ahead of the upcoming season.
Zinchenko has worn the 35 shirt since his arrival from Manchester City two years ago, but in a surprise move, has confirmed that he will now be wearing a different number.
The 27-year-old was heavily criticised after a disappointing individual campaign last season, in which he impressed at times on the ball, but his defensive vulnerabilities were exposed on several occasions.
The Ukrainian also had a mixed Euro 2024 campaign as his side were unlucky to crash out in the group stages of the tournament, and with Riccardo Calafiori joining, his place in the team is under question.
Nevertheless, Zinchenko will be hoping for a better campaign, and Arsenal fans will certainly hope that his new shirt number can signify a fresh start when it comes to his performances.
Oleksandr Zinchenko changes Arsenal shirt number
Zinchenko has now confirmed that he will move to the now vacant number 17 shirt, after wearing 35 for two seasons.
“The number 17 is a very special number to me. It was the number I wore as a young player, and I’ve always requested to wear 17 when playing for my country,” he told club media.
“With 17 being free since Cedric left, I asked if I could change, and thanks to everyone at the club for supporting me.
“It’s also very important to say that if anyone has bought this season’s new shirt directly from the club with my name and 35 on it, they can get an exchange to my new number.”
The number 17 shirt was previously occupied by Cedric Soares, who took it when he signed in 2020, and past wearers include Alex Song, Alexis Sanchez and Alex Iwobi.
Oleksandr Zinchenko shirt number change could indicate Arsenal transfer plan
Given that he is likely to fall down the pecking order at left-back, and that he has just two years left on his contract, it felt possible that Zinchenko could depart Arsenal this summer.
Zinchenko is 27 and a high earner in the squad who has delivered inconsistent performances, and this therefore could put him on the chopping block given that Edu Gaspar, who also wore the 17 shirt at Arsenal, has recently revealed that players of his age are under extra scrutiny to deliver.
However, this shirt number change may signify that he is going nowhere, and is ready to begin a new campaign with Arsenal.
He does have his faults, but if Zinchenko can find his best form, he is still a hugely valuable asset for Mikel Arteta’s squad.
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