Mikel Arteta has reportedly promised Oleksandr Zinchenko the chance to play in midfield if he joins Arsenal instead of West Ham.
The 25-year-old is tipped to leave Manchester City after a successful spell under Pep Guardiola. He's won four Premier League titles, four EFL Cups, the FA Cup and Community Shield. He also started the Champions League final in May 2021, losing 1-0 to Chelsea.
Zinchenko is an attacking midfielder by trade and operates in the centre of the park for the Ukraine national team but usually plays at left-back under Guardiola. It is believed West Ham want to sign him to give Aaron Cresswell some competition on the left of defence - as well as boost their attacking options - but Arteta has a different plan.
According to the Evening Standard, Arteta will deploy Zinchenko in midfield if he decides to join them. It is understood City will allow him to leave the Etihad if he wants to play more regularly. He has never featured in more than 20 Premier League games in a single season.
Zinchenko was not willing to discuss his future during Ukraine's attempt to qualify for this year's World Cup in Qatar. They defeated Scotland 3-1 at Hampden Park in their play-off semi-final but failed to overcome Wales, losing 1-0 in Cardiff on Sunday evening.
Arteta has worked with Zinchenko before. He was Guardiola's assistant City before taking the Arsenal job in December 2019 and will be aware of what he offers. The Gunners are aiming for Champions League qualification next term after finishing fifth in 2021-22.
Should Oleksandr Zinchenko leave Manchester City this summer? Let us know in the comments below!
"He's [Zinchenko] so special because of his temperament," former City defender Micah Richards told GOAL in May 2021. "When you've got a big squad and you know you're not going to play every single week, you've got to be able to keep positive and be a good influence around the changing room.
"And he's a good player... he can play as a full-back but he can come inside and play that midfield role because that's where he used to play. A lot of people don't know that; they just assume he's a left-back and not that great... he can do it at the highest level."
Zinchenko has been praised for his performances amid the crisis in Ukraine. His nation was invaded by Vladimir Putin's Russia in February and a devastating war in Europe has raged since. Zinchenko is Ukraine's captain and viewed as inspirational figure in the game.
"The way that Zinchenko has handled it all in the media is a real credit to him, and he has shown what a stand-out man he is," said Wales international Ben Davies ahead of their play-off.
Speaking to BBC Sport about the war in March, Zinchenko said: "I'll be honest, if not for my daughter, my family, I would be there. I'm just born like that. I know the people from my country, the mentality of them, and all of them, they think exactly the same.
"I'm so proud to be Ukrainian, and I will be forever for the rest of my life. And when you're watching the people, how they fight for their lives. I know the people, the mentality of my people from my country, they prefer to die, and they will die. But they're not going to give [up]."
