When you start looking at players that have been at Arsenal for a short period of time it is very easy to exaggerate their importance, or get lost in the romanticism of their initial success. However, with the Gunners moving from a side failing to reach Champions League qualification to sitting clear at the top of the table as established title contenders, there is little hyperbole when describing such individuals.
Oleksandr Zinchenko has won the Arsenal player of the month award for January and frankly, it undersells how good the Ukrainian has been. Yes, the likes of Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus have been key figures, but the influence of Zinchenko, who has opened supporters' eyes to what they thought the role of the position of left back was and now what it can be, is staggeringly impressive.
With this, and despite it being just six months into his time at the club, for me, Zinchenko is Arsenal’s signing of the past decade. Yes, you can keep Alexis Sanchez, Gabriel Martinelli and even, although it pains me to say, Santi Cazorla; this brilliant 25-year-old enigma of a player has changed the club and he needs to be recognised for it.
READ MORE: Four Arsenal transfer targets Edu and Mikel Arteta will be watching ahead of summer window
Speaking after the 3-2 win against Manchester United in which Zinchenko baffled the visitors with his movement and drive from his inverted left full-back position, he spoke words which drew plenty of attention but in essence were shockingly obvious and telling. He said: “I realised we have everything to achieve big things.
“I started to speak in the dressing room, ‘Guys, forget top three or whatever, we need to think about the title.’ Some of them were laughing, but no one is laughing now.”
I reacted to hearing this with a simple, 'of course.' As you could see this was a team that still lacked that determined belief that they were good enough to fight for the biggest and the best.
Having an individual who can demand an expectation of maximum success, combined with the ability and knowledge of Mikel Arteta’s coaching, and the available quality of the team has culminated in the substantial improvement of the side this season. Has any other player had such a transformative effect on this club?
Considering Zinchenko missed much of the season with an injury, the influence evidentially transcends beyond the lines of the football field. When signed, Arteta knew exactly what he’d brought into his squad and was headstrong when asked if the Ukrainian would bring a winning mentality to the side.
"Yes, because we are here to win," the boss said. "To win the way we want to play and Alex has both of them. He's got the background, he's got experience of doing that, but as well, he wants a big role.
"He's in the stage of his career now that he's looking for another challenge and we could offer him as a club that challenge, and I could offer him as a coach, that role in the team."
From style of play, to offensive output, to win rate, to defensive record, Arsenal are better in all aspects because of Zinchenko. He might not win this award every month, but just a tiny portion into his career with the club, just how integral he is to establishing the Gunners at the summit again is unrivalled.
READ NEXT:
Gabriel Jesus' likely return game for Arsenal revealed with Mikel Arteta to get dream scenario
Arsene Wenger can hand Mikel Arteta solution to right-back variety with Arsenal throwback pick
When Arsenal will make Folarin Balogun transfer decision as next season's plans 'revealed'
Mikel Arteta may have changed his mind on £34m signing Fabio Vieira after key Arsenal decisions
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
