August 6th 2024.
It was rumored that Oleksandr Zinchenko would leave Arsenal this summer, but it seems like he will be staying after all. He recently made a change to his squad number, opting for his preferred number 17, which has given fans a hint that he will remain with the Gunners for the upcoming season.
The Ukrainian player had a tough year at the Emirates, with many disappointing performances, leading to speculations that he may be on the move. Manager Mikel Arteta had made it a priority to sign a new left-sided defender, and with the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori for a whopping 42 million pounds, it was expected that Zinchenko would lose his spot in the starting lineup.
As a result, it was believed that the 27-year-old, who had impressed in his first season with Arsenal after joining from Manchester City in 2022, would seek a transfer away from the club. But it seems like those rumors were far from the truth. On Tuesday, Arsenal announced that Zinchenko had switched his number from 35 to 17, a change that would not have been made if he was planning to leave.
In an interview with the club's official website, Zinchenko explained the significance of the number 17 to him. He had worn it during his younger days and had always requested it while playing for his country. With Cedric Soares leaving the club and the number 17 being available, Zinchenko took the opportunity to switch to his preferred number.
He also mentioned that for fans who had already purchased this season's shirt with his name and the number 35 on it, they could get an exchange for his new number. This gesture showed his commitment to staying with Arsenal and his appreciation for the club's support.
Zinchenko had not worn the number 17 since his time with Russian club Ufa in 2016, as it was taken by Kevin De Bruyne and Cedric at City and Arsenal, respectively. Some notable players who have worn the number 17 for Arsenal in the Premier League era include Alex Iwobi, Alexis Sanchez, Nacho Monreal, and Edu Gaspar.
While Zinchenko's future at Arsenal seems secure, there is uncertainty surrounding fellow left-back Kieran Tierney, who is currently out with an injury. It is highly unlikely that the club will sell him, which could mean that Jakub Kiwior, who has been linked with a return to Serie A, may be on his way out.
With no other players changing their numbers this year, except for new signing Calafiori, it seems like Arsenal's squad is set for the upcoming season. Fans will be excited to see Zinchenko continue to don the Gunners jersey and hopefully make a strong comeback after a challenging season.
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