Oleksandr Zinchenko reveals motive for Arsenal squad quantity swap as he makes the ‘very particular’ change to match his Ukraine nationwide crew shirt

Oleksandr Zinchenko has revealed he’ll put on the quantity 17 shirt for the 2024-2025 season after switching from the quantity 35. 

The 27-year-old has taken the quantity that was beforehand worn by Cedric Soares – who left Arsenal on the finish of final season after 4 years on the membership. 

Zinchenko revealed how the quantity 17 had sentimental worth earlier than explaining how the membership supported his choice to alter shirts in a latest interview. 

The Ukrainian defender made it clear that followers who had already purchased the 2024-2025 package together with his earlier quantity can be allowed alternate their shirt for a brand new one.  

Talking about his choice to alter his shirt quantity forward of the brand new season, Zinchenko mentioned by way of the club website: ‘The quantity 17 is a really particular quantity to me. 

‘It was the quantity I wore as a younger participant, and I’ve all the time requested to put on 17 when taking part in for my nation. With 17 being free since Cedric left, I requested if I may change, and because of everybody on the membership for supporting me.

‘It is also essential to say that if anybody has purchased this season’s new shirt instantly from the membership with my title and 35 on it, they’ll get an alternate to my new quantity.’

Zinchenko is assured the Gunners have what it takes to overthrow Manchester Metropolis however insists Arsenal don’t want to repeat the Premier League giants. 

The 27-year-old defender spent 5 campaigns at Manchester Metropolis, successful 4 Premier League titles throughout that point. 

He certain is aware of what it takes to win main silverware, and believes Arsenal are heading in the right direction after taking the title race to the ultimate day.

‘I do not assume we have to copy somebody like Metropolis,’ he mentioned. ‘In fact in the mean time they’re in all probability the most effective crew on the earth. If you happen to have a look at the stats and titles they’ve gained within the final couple of years, it’s wonderful. 

Man Metropolis pipped Arsenal by two factors to win their fourth successive Premier League final time period

The return of Jurrien Timber (proper) is ready to be an enormous increase for Mikel Arteta (left) this season

‘You all the time want to take a look at the most effective however not be like them — we have to be on high of them. Arsenal are on the fitting approach. I actually hope and consider within the shut future Arsenal can obtain a variety of good issues.’

It was an ACL harm to Jurrien Timber final season which opened up a gap in Arsenal’s left-back spot. Eight months to contend with out the person the Gunners had signed for that individual place. 

In stepped Zinchenko to combined success. Throughout 38 Premier League matches, he began 20 however discovered himself on the bench in swathes of the marketing campaign as Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior competed for the spot.

With Timber now again, the image for Zinchenko is additional unclear. He has the power to decisively invert into midfield, a trait enticing to Mikel Arteta, however has vulnerabilities defensively.

But the Ukrainian has been left impressed by his team-mate’s harm comeback. He believes that competitors for locations is essential for the Gunners’s title push — even when it means his beginning spot is in elevated jeopardy.

Jakub Kiwior (left) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (proper) performed left-back for Arsenal at occasions final time period

Zinchenko celebrated successful the Premier League title with Manchester Metropolis again in 2022

‘I knew him (Timber) earlier than he got here to Arsenal,’ he mentioned. ‘I performed towards him for the nationwide crew on the Euros. I knew him as a participant. He’s an unbelievable participant and an unbelievable man. He’s so humble, he’s working tremendous laborious.

‘Sadly for him he simply picked up an harm, however he’s doing wonderful now. I used to be watching all the method, the way in which he was getting back from the harm, how a lot he was working.

‘Chapeau to him and the whole lot he has completed. He deserves a variety of credit score. I want for each single participant within the membership to do his finest. That’s the solely solution to obtain a variety of issues.’

On the place he sees his function for the brand new season, Zinchenko added: ‘Wherever the supervisor goes to make use of me on the membership, I can be pleased to do my finest and provides my all.