Arsenal sanctioned Oleksandr Zinchenko’s permanent departure in the January transfer window, seeing the Ukrainian sign for Ajax.
It’s been a hectic season for Zinchenko, despite the fact that he’s barely played.
The 29-year-old started the campaign at Arsenal, then left on loan to sign for Nottingham Forest, only to return from that spell to be sold permanently to Ajax.
It was a masterclass from Andrea Berta to sell Zinchenko before his Arsenal contract ran out, but the defender’s latest comments suggest he could’ve actually been of use to the Gunners.
Arsenal fans: How would you sum up Oleksandr Zinchenko’s time with the club?
Oleksandr Zinchenko reveals his favourite position after making his Ajax debut
Ajax benefited from two former Arsenal defenders in the transfer market, as Zinchenko joined Takehiro Tomiyasu in Amsterdam.
Tomiyasu didn’t feature in Ajax’s latest game, which was a draw against AZ Alkmaar, but Zinchenko did.
Upon making his debut for the Dutch club from the bench, the former Arsenal man impressed, as he continues to fight to be the missing piece to Ajax’s puzzle.
Ajax have defensive midfield woes, which is what prompted the Ukraine international to reveal that playing centrally is his desired role.
What would Oleksandr Zinchenko’s Arsenal career look like now if he was a midfielder, not a left-back?
“I feel completely myself in the center of the pitch,” Zinchenko said, before adding:
“It doesn’t matter to me whether I play as an inside back or as a midfielder.
“When our team is dominant, I feel very comfortable inside. If the manager needs me there, I’ll give everything I have to make an impact on the team.”
Zinchenko played as a left-back at Arsenal, but so often found himself in central zones to adhere to Arteta’s demands of his fullbacks.
That being said, it’s almost ironic that his comments come at a time when Arsenal are short in midfield, as the four-time Premier League winner could’ve offered help.
Would it have been beneficial for Arsenal to keep Oleksandr Zinchenko?
Zinchenko was upset with Arteta, as his lack of game time at Arsenal was humiliating for the 29-year-old.
Admittedly, after the 2023/24 season, it became clear that all roads led Zinchenko to the end of his time at Arsenal, as the Gunners had moved on without him.
Now that Oleksandr Zinchenko is leaving, how would you grade his Arsenal career?
Though the left-back didn’t play often, he was always a reliable asset to break the lines, which makes his exit look questionable – but only in hindsight.
Mikel Merino’s injury leaves Arsenal’s midfield short, so much so that a new player was eyed in the January transfer market.
It was too late for Zinchenko at that point, who was Ajax-bound, but it has to be wondered if he could’ve had a role at the Emirates until the end of the season, particularly given his status as a four-time title winner.
The past is the past, and Zinchenko isn’t a member of the Arsenal squad anymore for a reason, but could things have been different?
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