Arsenal ace who broke down in tears over Mikel Arteta linked with transfer exit

15 March 2024 , 09:28

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Mikel Arteta and Oleksandr Zinchenko in their Man City days

Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko is the subject of interest from German giants Bayern Munich as they look to bolster their backline.

The reigning Bundesliga champions are believed to be resigned to the fact that Alphonso Davies is bound for Real Madrid this summer and in turn, need a new left-back of their own. Zinchenko is believed to be highly thought of by those at the top of the Bayern hierarchy, but the Gunners may not be so keen on the idea of selling.

Zinchenko arrived at the Emirates in the summer of 2022 from Manchester City, where he first crossed paths with current Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta. The Ukraine international is admired among the Emirates faithful, but it's his relationship with the Gunners manager that could keep him in north London and away from the Allianz.

The technically gifted defender has a stellar working relationship with the Spaniard, which stems all the way back from their shared time at the Etihad. Arteta had enough of an impact on Zinchenko that the Ukrainian admitted he shed tears when the 41-year-old left City to take over at Arsenal.

"I remember when Mikel was leaving City, I didn't hold my emotions. I couldn't because this guy was so special to me," Zinchenko told the Daily Mail. "He taught me a lot, as a human being he was incredible and the way he was working with us young players after every single training session, the advice he was giving everyone, was something incredibly important for me."

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Zinchenko even went as far to confess he made quite the vow to himself after Arteta's City departure, adding: "I said to my circle: 'If one day I'm going to leave City and I'm going to stay in the Premier League, it will be only one manager: Mikel Arteta.'"

The 27-year-old has had an extended spell on the sidelines since early February, with his deputy Jakub Kiwior stepping up in Zinchenko's absence. While the Poland international does not possess the ex-City star's technical ability, he is arguably the superior defender.

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Mikel Arteta and Oleksandr Zinchenko have a stellar working relationship dating back to their days at Man City

Kiwior put in a standout performance against Porto mid-week to help the Gunners reach the last eight of the Champions League for the first time in 14 years. Zinchenko started the game on the bench and wasn't brought on until the final 15 minutes before the penalty shoot-out.

For all of the love between Arteta and Zinchenko, if the current trend of Kiwior starting and playing the bulk of the game continues, there's every chance the Ukrainian's head could be turned by interest from a European heavyweight like Bayern. With that being said, the Bavarians would have to meet Arsenal's asking price of £45million.

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Josh O'Brien