09 September 2023 , 07:18
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Oleksandr Zinchenko has revealed he had a "secret agent" come to his house to convince him to join Arsenal.
Last summer the Ukraine star opted to leave Manchester City and head to north London, whom he helped inspire to a surprise Premier League title charge. Zinchenko had enjoyed huge success at the Etihad and didn't appear to have any plans of leaving.
Mikel Arteta, who knew him well having served as City's No 2, was keen to have him though and he headed up for a chat with one of his directors but bought with him a trump card in Gabriel Jesus, who had only just made the switch from Manchester to Arsenal.
Zinchenko told Footballers Lives on TikTok: "Mikel [Arteta] came to my house with a general director. We had a conversation [about] the way they see me in the club, which position, the project of the club and the structure and everything. And then we were sitting outside because it was such nice weather. Suddenly, someone rings my bell. I said, ‘Sorry, guys. I need to open the door to see maybe delivery or someone else'."
He continued: "And there was just Gabriel Jesus behind my gate and I just said, ‘Nah, is this a joke?’ So a secret agent came to my house and we had a good conversation, all of us. That was a really positive one."
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Jesus and Zinchenko helped transform an Arsenal team, that some had tipped for the top four, into genuine title contenders as they sat top for large chunks of the season following a sensational start to the campaign.
Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko both joined Arsenal last summer (Arsenal FC via Getty Images)Zinchenko, capable of playing in a variety of positions, has excelled as an inverted left-back, allowing him to dictate the play when Arsenal are in possession. He's become a favourite with the Arsenal fans and is expected to play a key role once more.
Upon pursuing the Ukraine international Arteta was full of praise for the player delivering as the manager predicted: “I know the player really well, he's an exceptional footballer and he is someone that is going to bring as well another competitive edge to that dressing room.”
Both men played key roles in Arsenal's biggest win thus far, which came last Sunday against Manchester United. Zinchenko played from the start in a back four whilst Jesus, returning from injury, was introduced from the bench and scored late in stoppage time to secure a 3-1 win.