Oleksandr Zinchenko has revealed the role Gabriel Jesus played in the Ukraine international's £32million Arsenal transfer this summer.
Zinchenko became the Gunners' fifth summer signing following Jesus' move to north London from Manchester City, joining Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta's side come into the season opener against Crystal Palace off the back of a brilliant pre-season that has fans very optimistic ahead of a busy 2022/23 campaign.
Technical director Edu has been hard at work behind the scenes strengthening the Arsenal squad, with more signings expected before the transfer deadline. Kieran Tierney is set to miss the start of the season as he recovers from injury, whilst Nuno Tavares has joined Marseille on-loan with Zinchenko set to play a key role in Arteta's team.
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Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the game against Palace, the 25-year-old revealed how Jesus helped convince him to join him at the Emirates Stadium. Zinchenko said: "Honestly I’m really impressed with the atmosphere.
"Obviously I knew from Gabriel Jesus, who came earlier than me, told me about the amazing atmosphere inside. We have a young team with some experienced players. I think it’s a great time for the Arsenal and let’s see what’s going to be this season."
The Ukraine international also discussed his role in the team, where he sees himself playing most and how he has been a fan of the Gunners since he was a child. "I’m so happy to be here to be apart of this amazing club, it’s a dream come true," Zinchenko added.
"Since I was a kid I was a massive fan of Arsenal, I’d like to say a massive thanks to Manchester City and everything they’ve done for me. Now it’s another page, another story, it’s time to focus on Arsenal, let it begin, the Premier League is back.
"That question [where is your best position?] I may have heard 1,000 times during the last five years. If you ask me my appropriate position honestly I don’t know, I have no answer.
"In the national team I play in the middle, in City I played left-back but I’m ready to play anywhere and I just want to be on the pitch, that’s the most important thing." Arsenal will be hoping for a better start to the 2022/23 campaign compared to last season when they lost their opening three fixtures without scoring a goal.
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