Oleksandr Zinchenko has revealed what he told Ukraine teammate Mykhailo Mudryk following his January move to Chelsea.
Arsenal pushed hard to sign the winger during the January transfer window and saw two bids rejected by Shakhtar Donetsk, the last of which worth around £60m.
Chelsea, however, hijacked the deal and landed the 22-year-old in a move that could eventually be worth £89m.
Still, Mudryk has struggled during the opening few weeks of his Premier League career.
Graham Potter seems to have decided on a frontline featuring Joao Felix, Raheem Sterling and Kai Haverz, with Mudryk yet to score.
Arsenal, meanwhile, signed Leandro Trossard to strengthen their title challenge and the Belgian international has already had an immediate impact on Mikel Arteta’s first-team.
Mudryk, however, will get a chance to impress on English shores when Ukraine visit Wembley for a Euro 2024 qualifier against the Three Lions on Sunday.
Of his international teammate, Zinchenko told the Daily Mail: “I told him: ‘It’s gone already, it doesn’t matter what you wanted, what the other guys wanted.’
“Now you’re a Chelsea player, you signed a long-term contract and you have only one option, only one way: direct and forward.
“Unfortunately he didn’t become an Arsenal player – as I wanted personally! - but it’s life.”
