Euro giants pushing to sign ‘incredible’ Arsenal star who Mikel Arteta loves

Add as preferred source on Google

After suffering a deflating defeat to Newcastle United at the Emirates on Tuesday night, Arsenal’s January transfer window could be about to kick into life.

The Gunners are in desperate need of reinforcements, as their squad continues to look threadbare due to persistent injury, illness and suspension issues.

Bukayo Saka will be out for several months after undergoing surgery on his hamstring, and thus Arteta’s side are lacking the offensive firepower required to keep in touch with league leaders Liverpool, without their talisman.

There is an expectation that Arsenal will add to their ranks this month, and links to a number of players are beginning to surface.

However, the North London outfit may ultimately sanction the departure of a squad player before they acquire any new players.

Inter Milan pushing to sign Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko

Certain players in Arteta’s squad are currently not getting a look in, and could be sold to raise finances this winter.

Oleksandr Zinchenko is among those on the periphery of the Gunners’ ensemble, with the Ukrainian starting just two league games all season.

Beloved by Arteta, who has described the left-back as a ‘great guy’ and an ‘amazing player’, the Spaniard is actually said to be open-minded about letting the player leave in this window.

That’s according to the Sun, who report that Inter Milan are preparing an offer for Zinchenko.

The Italian side view the 28-year-old, dubbed ‘incredible’ by Pep Guardiola (ManCity.com), as someone who could significantly aid their domestic campaign.

Arsenal are reportedly only prepared to sell Zinchenko or Jakub Kiwior this month, and it would appear that the former is more likely to depart N5.

The ex-Manchester City man has been usurped by both Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly in the pecking order at the Emirates, and subsequently has been left without a clear role at Arsenal.

If Inter are to table a reasonable offer, then Arteta may be tempted to cash in on the maligned full-back immediately.

Zinchenko could still help Arsenal in midfield

Developing as a midfield in his youth, Zinchenko was only converted into a left-back under Guardiola at City.

However, the Ukraine international is often caught out defensively in this position, and could instead be best utilised in midfield if Arsenal chose to reject Inter’s proposal.

The Gunners ought to consider keeping the player in Islington until the end of the season, with his progressive passing ability, evidenced in his impressive on-ball statistics, potentially hugely beneficial to an Arsenal midfield lacking creativity.

Arsenal are interested in Sunderland midfielder Jobe Bellingham, but could reserve finances for a forward signing by making do with Zinchenko in midfield for the remaining portion of the season.

Arteta has been reluctant to use him centrally previously, but now could be the time to experiment as Arsenal enter a period of adversity.