It's become quite the trend for players to say that they are fulfilling a 'dream' when joining a new club and that they've always been a 'fan' of the team they're signing for. Yet it can be rare for them to actually say it with true sincerity nowadays, with loyalty in football becoming an uncommon trait for many to have.
However, that doesn't make it completely impossible as we were reminded over the summer. Arsenal signed Oleksandr Zinchenko, who was a boyhood fan of the Gunners growing up. Despite playing for Premier League rivals Manchester City for six years, the Ukrainian international described the move as a "boyhood dream come true."
"First of all I would like to say this is a boyhood dream come true, because I was a massive fan when I was a kid," he said. "Since Thierry Henry and young Cesc Fabregas was playing here, I was just enjoying watching those games, that Arsenal. And obviously, I started to love this club, so I am so excited and I cannot wait to play for this amazing club."
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Not that fans had any doubts, but his respect for Arsenal was apparent when a picture of him wearing the club's shirt as a teenager surfaced online. Then along came the interviews shortly after his transfer was confirmed, which only emphasised how much it meant to him.
Zinchenko's love for Arsenal is viewed by many as a bonus, considering he is a naturally gifted player. Not only has the club got someone who can make a noticeable difference on the pitch but also someone who will give 110% to the cause due to his passion for the badge, which has been clear to see in the minutes he has - and hasn't - played so far.
Fast forward a few months and Mikel Arteta could have the chance to repeat Zinchenko's arrival by fulfilling another dream. That's because Wolfsburg striker Jonas Wind has admitted that he would like to play for his "favourite club" Arsenal in the future as he sets his sights on a move to the Premier League.
"If we look into the future, Arsenal would be a dream destination for me, as it has always been my favourite club," Wind told Bulinews.com. "In general, I think the Premier League is the best league in the world, and it would be exciting to play there."
Unfortunately for Wind, a potential pathway to Arsenal will be a lot more challenging than the one Zinchenko was able to take. Arteta is already well-stocked in a youthful striking department with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah representing two quality options, not to mention Folarin Balogun who is impressing on loan in France.
Standing at 6'3", Wind would certainly add a much-needed aerial presence to the forward line but whether or not there's enough space for him to come in and play is another matter, for now at least. The Denmark international only moved to the Bundesliga in January this year following an impressive spell with FC Copenhagen, where he scored 17 goals and provided eight assists during the 2021/22 season.
His initial start to life in Germany can perhaps be described as slow but steady, scoring five goals and providing one assist in 14 games. However, the new campaign has presented its challenges after Wind sustained a serious hamstring injury during the opening match just over four weeks ago. CIES Football Observatory values the 23-year-old between £13million and £17.5million.
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