Arsenal have been told how Joao Cancelo and Kyle Walker could aid Edu in his efforts to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko in the upcoming transfer window. The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium lately amid a growingly uncertain future at Manchester City.
He featured just 15 times for Pep Guardiola's side in the Premier League this season, directly contributing towards four goals from left-back. The Ukraine international, who is a number ten by trade, has impressed at the Etihad despite diminutive game time, and Mikel Arteta's side look poised to make a move for the technician.
And, with Cancelo and Walker undoubtedly in their prime and currently among the best full-backs in the world, Danny Mills has suggested that this could play in Arsenal's favour this summer. Speaking to Football Insider, the former City defender said: "As a player, you always want to play.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta set for transfer window bonus as Arsenal signings can benefit from World Cup change
"Unfortunately at Man City with Cancelo at left-back and Walker at right-back, it’s very difficult to play week in, week out. Then the decision is ‘Do I have to just drop down a level to play week in, week out or do I stay as a bit-part player?’ Only he can make that decision.
"Most footballers would love to play week in, week out. That’s what you do, that’s the whole point of training every single day, to play games."
Zinchenko, who is valued at around £26million by CIES Football Observatory, has been subject to interest from the Gunners, with the Arsenal boss keen to operate him as a midfield option, according to the Daily Mail. And, Guardiola has explained exactly why Arteta sees a future for the Ukrainian alongside the likes of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey.
Speaking in April to Man City's media team, the Spaniard said: "In the position that we have in the midfield, in the pockets as the attacking midfielder. That is his position, definitely.
"When we bought Oleks for £2million from Ukraine, he was a No.10 – a Phil Foden position, a creative player – but we didn’t have a left-back for many years.
“Fabian Delph adapted incredibly well in that position and Oleks as well. That’s happened because he is well-educated, he knows exactly what it means. He adapted and said: ‘Okay, what does the team need? I’m going to do it.'"
