Oleksandr Zinchenko names Arsenal player he’s now closest to in the squad

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Oleksandr Zinchenko has named Gabriel Jesus as the Arsenal player the Ukrainian international has the closest relationship in the squad.

The duo both joined the north London side in 2022 as Mikel Arteta brought the Manchester City duo to Arsenal, with Jesus and Zinchenko since playing huge roles in the Gunners’ rise in the Premier League.

The former league champions have brought an unrivaled winning mentality to Arsenal as well as leadership skills that had been lacking in such a young squad, with the results now speaking for themselves.

Oleksandr Zinchenko names Gabriel Jesus as closest friend at Arsenal

And speaking to Arsenal’s official website, Zinchenko has now named Jesus as his closest friend in the squad, a reasonable answer given how long the two played together at City.

Zinchenko said: “We are a close group. It’s difficult to choose the player I am closest to, but if I choose one then it is Gabriel Jesus. I have known him longer than my wife! I’m joking, but I have known him for a long time!

“We both have kids now, so our schedules mean it’s quite hard to spend time together as families, but it’s nice to share experiences with players from different countries and cultures, though we all speak the same language, football language, which is understood all around the world.

“Actually, I have always wanted to go to Brazil, so it’s nice now to have friends through football that I can ask about this country and give me advice.”

Squad harmony and chemistry has been key to Arsenal’s success

A sense of togetherness has been around at Arsenal for quite some time now, and comments from Zinchenko show just how good the team’s chemistry now is under Arteta.

The club have been completely transformed by the Basque coach since his appointment in 2019, and the best is still yet to come with Arsenal looking like a contender for silverware this season.

Indeed, the closeness of the squad and the friendships that have formed in the team have been influential, and the bonds forged will spur Arsenal on to greatness if the unit can stay together.