Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is desperate to sign Manchester City midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko. The youngster’s agent Sandor Varga reveals that the Gunners’ manager has been keen on the player since the latter’s time at Ukraine club Shakhtar Donetsk. The Frenchman has been persistent in his efforts to sign the Ukrainian midfielder but was consistently disappointed in his pursuit. According to Varga, Wenger enquired about the young player a number of times, but with no avail.
Zinchenko started his career at his native club Youth Sportive School Karpatiya. His time at the club was followed by a move to FC Monolit Illichivsk and later Shakhtar Donetsk, where he spent five years and where Wenger caught sight of the player for the first time. The 19-year-old midfielder was signed by Manchester City in July 2016, following his displays in Europe. Zinchenko is currently on loan at Dutch club PSV Eindhoven from Manchester City.
The 19-year-old Ukraine midfielder made his international debut during the UEFA Euro 2016 qualification game against Spain in October 2015. The youngster was a part of Ukraine’s squad for Euro 2016 and appeared as a substitute for Victor Kovalenko in Ukraine’s first two matches, against Germany and Northern Ireland.
While Ukraine were the first to get eliminated from the Euros, Zinchenko made headlines by being the youngest player’s in Ukraine to score a goal in an international game, replacing Andriy Shevchenko.
A versatile player who can play in defensive, central, right and attacking positions and who has also been played as a left-back, Zinchenko is a complete midfielder. With excellent ball control and dribbling skills, the youngster is strong in tackling the opposition. Dominantly left-footed, he has shown a tendency to take long shots with left foot, at the same time his right foot comes around as a weak point as it is not as effective as his left.
Zinchenko is yet another player who shows maturity beyond his years, his form shows the ability to appear in big games and remain calm when facing the goal.
It is obvious that Manchester City and Ukraine have a talented youngster in their hands. However, with Wenger pursuing the youngster and still persistent, even with no response following his efforts in the last two years, may be a factor that City have to look out for. Although, Zinchenko may possibly be added to the long list of talented players Wenger has missed through his career.
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