Oleksandr Zinchenko has joked if Arsenal fans are aware that Mikel Arteta has not signed Kevin de Bruyne instead, playing on the running joke that the former Manchester City teammates are related. The Ukraine international was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium and after finally penning a four-year deal with the north Londoners, he became Edu's fifth signing of the window.
The 25-year-old follows the arrivals of Gabriel Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos as the Gunners look to avenge their top-four sorrows from last season. But, with Arteta eager to avenge their top-four sorrows from last season, Zinchenko - in jest - wanted to make sure that Arsenal were signing the right player.
Speaking to 'Frimmy' upon his unveiling as a Gunner, the Ukrainian joked: "Do they know that I'm not De Bruyne? Straight away I need to ask because maybe they're confused. You surprised me, you surprised me a bit."
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Zinchenko, though, thinks that he is better looking. He continued: "[The comparison] was just in the beginning. I'm much, much, much more handsome than him. We're not talking about football skills but come on, you cannot compare. He knows, he knows."
De Bruyne and Zinchenko enjoyed a running joke during their time together at the Etihad Stadium where they would be called brothers for their similar hair style, hair colour and facial features. And, for what it was worth, they duo enjoyed great success together at City.
But, with the Ukrainian now at the Emirates Stadium following a £32million deal, Zinchenko has his eyes on 'big things'. Speaking to the club's official website, he said: "Thank you so much. 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.
"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."
Zinchenko continued: "I’m ready for another challenge. I’m not here just to waste my time and the time of Arsenal because the club is always in front of everyone.
"I am here to achieve big things and I hope we can win some titles, and I hope we are going to fight for every title in which we are going to be involved. Even from the last season, I was watching The Arsenal’s games and I could smell it’s coming, you know? The team is growing up so quickly and I think it’s time. It’s time to do our best and to achieve something big."
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