Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Oleksandr Zinchenko will become an Arsenal player. The Ukraine international was spotted at Arsenal's pre-season friendly with Orlando City sat next to technical director Edu ahead of his imminent transfer from Manchester City.
football.london understands that Zinchenko will sign a four-year contract in a deal worth around £32 million. His arrival comes after the Gunners missed out on summer target Lisandro Martinez who is expected to join Manchester United after the Red Devils agreed a fee with Ajax.
Zinchenko flew in to join up with his new teammates on Wednesday, and is understood to have already completed his club media duties ahead of the move. Now Arteta has had his say on the 25-year-old and admitted that he is delighted to have him in the squad.
READ MORE: Every word Mikel Arteta said on Zinchenko's arrival, Torreira and Arsenal transfer ambitions
"Yes as you've seen he's here," the Spaniard told press when asked about the new arrival. "There are still a few formalities to get everything concreted, but really happy to have him. I know the player really well. He's an exceptional footballer and is someone that is going to bring a competitive edge to that dressing room."
There has been some debate as to where Zinchenko will play when his arrival at the Emirates Stadium is confirmed. The Ukrainian has spent much of his time at Manchester City playing as a left back and could provide competition for Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares. He is also capable of playing in midfield though and is viewed by many as an alternative to Granit Xhaka or Albert Sambi Lokonga in the left eight role. Arteta went on to reveal that he intends to use him in both areas of the pitch.
"Both," he said when asked where Zinchenko will play. "He can play in both. He was a natural No. 10 early in his career, and we converted him into a left back, which can do a lot of things that we want in our way of playing, and that versatility is something that's going to be important for the team because we have other players in that position than more specific fullback, so really happy."
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