Arsenal have made crucial ‘promise’ to Oleksandr Zinchenko amid ‘unbelievable’ news – pundit
Mikel Arteta has promised Oleksandr Zinchenko that he will start every game for Arsenal during the 2022-23 season.
That’s according to former Leeds United stopper Paddy Kenny, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about Arsenal’s latest signing.
The Gunners confirmed the signing of Zinchenko, 25, from Man City on 22 July.
He put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the London club, keeping him at the Emirates until 2026.
The Ukraine international made his debut for Mikel Arteta’s side on Sunday (24 July), starting as his new side demolished Chelsea 4-0.
Kenny claims the versatile star will have been given assurances over his game time after struggling for minutes at The Etihad.
“It’s an unbelievable move for everyone involved,” Kenny told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.
“He needed more game time. He isn’t that old but he is a really experienced player. I just thought that last season, Arsenal’s team needed a bit of experience in there.
“They have a young side and even though Zinchenko is young, he brings that experience after having such a great career at Man City.
“The signing of Jesus also helps with that because he isn’t that old but he has been around in the Premier League for ages now.
“It’s a great signing and I’m sure Arsenal fans will be excited to see him come in and join this exciting squad.
“He needs to start every game now, that’s what he wanted and I’m sure he has been promised that by Arteta.”
Zinchenko joins Gabriel Jesus and Fabio Vieira as new signings at Arsenal as Mikel Arteta looks to improve on last season’s fifth-place finish.
28-year-old goalkeeper Matt Turner and 19-year-old Brazilian winger Marqunios have also joined the club this summer.
In other news, medical insider claims Arsenal could now sign Takehiro Tomiyasu replacement amid injury latest.