Oleksandr Zinchenko shares three responses to Declan Rice’s message
Mikel Arteta saw three of his key players make the PFA Team of the Year as he prepares for further changes at Arsenal.
The Gunners have spent big in this summer’s transfer window after ending last season 10 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race, with an outlay of over £185million to try and close the gap.
Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke all arrived for fees of over £50m alongside Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Cristhian Mosquera, but Arteta has been slower to sanction sales.
Arsenal have sold Nuno Tavares and Marquinhos to Lazio and Cruzeiro respectively this summer, but another exit could be on the cards after Oleksandr Zinchenko was linked with a move to Fulham.
Football Insider revealed in June that Arsenal were happy to sell Zinchenko amid interest from AC Milan, and the door remains open for Fulham to sign the Ukrainian after Milan bought Pervis Estupinan instead.
Arsenal ‘brothers’ take three spots in Team of the Year
Arsenal’s push to sell Zinchenko this summer could open the door for Antonee Robinson to leave Fulham if the 28-year-old moves to Craven Cottage, with the Gunners’ left-back stocks being greatly reduced.
Zinchenko may be on the outer at the Emirates, but Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba were front and centre for Arsenal at the PFA Awards with all three given places in the Team of the Year.
The trio’s recognition came alongside five players from Premier League champions Liverpool, and Rice posted on Instagram on 19 August to say: “X2 with my brothers!”
Zinchenko was one of several Gunners players to respond to Rice, and left a trio of ‘heart’, ‘fire’ and ‘applause’ emojis in the comments beneath his post.
Arsenal to accelerate Zinchenko exit as overhaul continues
Football Insider Verdict
Riccardo Calafiori got his second season off to a perfect start with the winning goal in their Premier League opener against Manchester United, while Myles Lewis-Skelly had a breakout season last year.
The duo leave Arsenal well-stocked at left-back despite the departures of Tavares and Tierney this summer, and that leaves the writing on the wall for Zinchenko with Arsenal fans happy for him to leave.
Zinchenko releasing an autobiography after his ‘worst season’ at Arsenal is the final straw for several supporters, and it’s unclear if the Ukraine international will ever play for the club again as uncertainty mounts over his future.