Zinchenko arrives
In many ways, the two biggest stories of the night were actually away from the action on the pitch. The first came almost immediately upon arrival into the Exploria Stadium as murmurs began to circle that a storm could be on it's way.
Orlando City had had a game delayed recently by as much as two and a half hours due to concerns over lightning strikes, and as the heavens opened, there were legitimate concerns that history could repeat itself. As it was the bad weather passed relatively quickly and as spectators were allowed to emerge from the concourses onto their seats, another storm began brewing on social media.
New signing Oleksandr Zinchenko has not been officially confirmed yet as an Arsenal player due to some regulatory processes that need to be completed, but as he was spotted in the crowd sitting with technical director Edu, chief executive Vinai Venkatesham and owners Stan and Josh Kroenke, the move we all knew was happening, was essentially announced as a done deal.
The Ukraine international has completed his media duties already and will be unveiled by the club in the coming days. Mikel Arteta is not normally one to get drawn into transfer speculation in press conferences, but as he spoke to the media after the match, even he could not hide his delight at the impending arrival.
READ MORE: Mikel Arteta told the two 'good' signings Arsenal could make after Oleksandr Zinchenko
"Yes as you've seen he's here," the Spaniard said. "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."
What makes Zinchenko such a fascinating arrival is his ability to solve issues for Arsenal in multiple positions. The Gunners had been targeting a left-back capable of coming infield in a manner similar to what Takehiro Tomiyasu does on the right-hand side, and having missed out on Lisandro Martinez to Manchester United, Zinchenko is certainly not a bad second choice. Given Kieran Tierney's injury record, the Ukrainian brings depth to a position where Arsenal have struggled in recent years.
On top of that though he can play in central midfield and seems to be a perfect fit for that left-eight position that the Gunners have been targeting this summer. He is technically excellent and comfortable in tight spaces, and may well form a similar link-up on the left with either Gabriel Martinelli or Emile Smith Rowe as Martin Odegaard has managed with Bukayo Saka on the right.
Arsenal are delighted with this versatility, and it's clear with the signings of Fabio Vieira and Gabriel Jesus this summer that that is what they're looking for in new arrivals. Speaking after the game, Arteta revealed he intended to use Zinchenko in both roles.
"He can play in both," the Spaniard said. "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."
It's unclear yet if the deal will be confirmed before Saturday's friendly with Chelsea which rounds off the US tour, but that would seem like the perfect chance to unveil Zinchenko. He should be relatively fit after training with Manchester City in the weeks prior to this and will be keen to impress his new teammates and supporters.
Nketiah and Jesus link up again
In what was both literally and metaphorically a damp squib of a first half one of the bright sparks was Eddie Nketiah who showed flashes of the improvements in his game recently. When under pressure in the centre circle as Arsenal looked to transition forward quickly the England under-21 international showed expert awareness to spin away and link play in a manner that has not always been known as a strength to his game.
Interestingly enough though as Gabriel Jesus came on for the second half, we saw Nketiah shifted out to the left wing. This marks a new variation of the 23-year-old's fledgling partnership with his new Brazilian teammate, and is one that already looks to particularly threatening.
What Jesus brings to the table is an intensity in everything he does, and a speed of play that makes him a nightmare for opposition defenders to deal with. Nketiah has these qualities too, but offers a poacher's instinct in the box that has the ability to turn the promise of attacking chances into goals.
This was abundantly apparent in the goal the Hale Ender got on the night. Jesus squirms the ball past defenders after receiving on the edge of the box from Martin Odegaard. Just as he is hacked down though, Nketiah is on hand to pick up the pieces and finish sharply to put Arsenal back in front.
The variety of tactical options that Nketiah and Jesus provide as a duo is something that Mikel Arteta is undoubtedly enjoying after finding himself constricted by the limitations of Alexandre Lacazette last season. The Spaniard admitted after the game, that he wants to get the pair playing together more regularly in order to make them as deadly as possible for when the season gets underway.
"We want to build those relationships, and they haven't played a lot of minutes together yet," he said. "The same with Martin and Gabi, for example, and we have to start to do that. We obviously do it in training, but to put it in practice in matches, it's important, and you can see that they are finding themselves with good timing, and it's important because there are two players with a big goal threat."
Arteta impressed by Tielemans alternative
Even with the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko, it does appear as though Arsenal aren't done in the transfer window yet. The club want to bring in a winger after missing out on Raphinha and the links to Youri Tielemans remain as consistent as ever.
The Belgian international captained Leicester in their preseason friendly against Hull City on Saturday night suggesting he's still part of Brendan Rodgers' plans. football.london understands though that Arsenal continue to have an interest in the 25-year-old who has just one year remaining on his contract at the King Power.
However, with the performances of Tielemans' compatriot there does appear to be a possibility that they might not need him after all. Albert Sambi Lokonga was very impressive against Orlando City as a crucial tweak was made in comparison to the way he played towards the end of last season.
The 22-year-old was asked to deputise as a lone six in crucial games against Brighton and Southampton last season in the absence of Thomas Partey and did struggle on his own in such a crucial position. On Saturday night he was moved further forward into the left-sided eight position and immediately looked more at home.
The Belgian got forward to support the attack and provided the assist to Gabriel Martinelli's opener. He might have had a second assist on the stroke of half time too if Eddie Nketiah's deflected effort had not squirmed just wide of the post. The performance certainly caught the eye of Mikel Arteta who admitted that he has liked what he's seen from Lokonga in this new role.
"We are trying, where he feels comfortable, where he can develop in the best possible way," the Spaniard said. "He's really comfortable playing in that position, and we want to try and see what he can bring in that position, as well. It's true that now we are missing as well Emile and Fabio there, so that position we're a little bit short, and he's done well."
With Mohamed Elneny at the club for at least another year to provide backup at six, and Fabio Vieira a quality option to provide competition to Martin Odegaard as a right-sided eight, it does appear as though Arsenal already have enough quality players in the left-eight position. Zinchenko will be a welcome addition there, while the position is currently Granit Xhaka 's to lose and Lokonga has proved himself more than capable of filling in there if required. While Tielemans would undoubtedly be a good addition to the squad, whether there's space for him right now is an interesting question to ponder.
Transfer focus shifts
With the arrival of Zinchenko, the size of Arsenal's squad has now swelled even further. The Gunners brought a group of 33 players out to America of whom just one - Reuell Walters - was promoted from the academy. With more to come in, it's impossible to shake the sense that outgoings will now need to be a priority before the window slams shut on Thursday, September 1.
Of the group that started on Saturday it appears that several are looking to secure themselves a move elsewhere. Perhaps the most high profile is Nicolas Pepe who, despite his best efforts, simply seems incapable of moulding to Arteta's demands and needs a transfer to kickstart his career.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is another who struggled to find his best at the Exploria Stadium, misplacing several passes before being hooked at half time. Nottingham Forest were interested in the England international earlier in the window, but having made 10 signings already this summer the newly promoted side's interest seems to have cooled.
Mikel Arteta meanwhile refused to confirm that Lucas Torreira was on his way out when asked by football.london , but the Uruguayan's Instagram story does appear to have confirmed that he has left the US training camp. Nuno Tavares meanwhile is being linked with a loan and Pablo Mari did little on the night to suggest he has much of a long-term future at the club. Hector Bellerin also came on late in the match and is keen to secure himself an exit back to Spain.
After Saturday's match, Arteta admitted that outgoings are now likely to be the primary short-term focus for the Gunners. "We have to," he said when asked about moving players on. "We have a big squad, and now we have to make things happen."
Edu has historically not excelled when it comes to extracting high fees for players Arsenal no longer want but this does appear to be where he will now have to prove himself.
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