Since joining the Gunners in the summer, Zinchenko has become a cornerstone of Arsenal’s backline.
Oleksandr Zinchenko knew Arsenal were ready to push for the Premier League title when he joined them in July.
Mikel Arteta’s side finished fifth in the Premier League last season, while Zinchenko claimed his fourth league title at Manchester City.
A surprise summer move then saw Zinchenko arrive at Arsenal alongside his teammate Gabriel Jesus. Both players have become crucial parts of Mikel Arteta’s side in their efforts to win the title race.
The Gunners are five points above City at the top of the league table with a game at hand. Their incredible run of form has got many observers by surprise. But Zinchenko says even his new teammates didn’t believe they could pull this off.
“I realised we have everything to achieve big things,” he said. “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.”
In Arsenal’s crucial victories over Tottenham and Manchester United, Zinchenko registered 178 touches, more than any other Arsenal player. He also made the most passes (136) and won the most duels (14).
Speaking after Arsenal’s 3-2 win against Man Utd, Ian Wright praised Zinchenko’s form.
“What he does is he brings in an extra man there,” the Arsenal legend said.
“He plays on the left side but before you know it, he is the centre forward. He brings so much from the left-back spot and the midfield.
“He’s our best passer into the final third. He can’t really be picked out because people don’t know how to pick him out.”
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