Oleksandr Zinchenko insists Arsenal do not need to copy Manchester City but instead seek to ‘be on top of them’ next season to win an elusive Premier League title.
The 27-year-old spent five campaigns at Man City, winning four league titles. He sure knows what it takes to win major silverware, and believes Arsenal are on the right track after taking the title race to the final day.
‘I don’t think we need to copy someone like City,’ he said.
‘Of course at the moment they are probably the best team in the world. If you look at the stats and titles they have won in the last couple of years, it is amazing.
‘You always need to look at the best but not be like them — we need to be on top of them.
Oleksandr Zinchenko insists Arsenal do not need to copy Manchester City to win the title
Man City pipped Arsenal by two points to win their fourth successive Premier League last term
Zinchenko, pictured with team-mate Ben White, is in high spirits ahead of the new campaign
‘Arsenal are on the right way. I really hope and believe in the close future Arsenal can achieve a lot of good things.’
It was an ACL injury to Jurrien Timber last season which opened up a hole in Arsenal’s left-back spot. Eight months to contend without the man the Gunners had signed for that particular position.
In stepped Zinchenko to mixed success. Across 38 Premier League matches, he started 20 but found himself on the bench in swathes of the campaign as Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior competed for the spot.
With Timber now back, the picture for Zinchenko is further unclear. He has the ability to decisively invert into midfield, a trait attractive to Mikel Arteta, but has vulnerabilities defensively.
Yet the Ukrainian has been left inspired by his team-mate’s injury comeback. He believes that competition for places is key for the Gunners’s title push — even if it means his starting spot is in increased jeopardy.
The Ukrainian left-back puts in the work during Arsenal’s pre-season tour in Los Angeles
Jakub Kiwior (left) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (right) played left-back for Arsenal at times last term
‘I knew him (Timber) before he came to Arsenal,’ he said.
‘I played against him for the national team at the Euros. I knew him as a player. He is an unbelievable player and an unbelievable guy. He is so humble, he is working super hard.
‘Unfortunately for him he just picked up an injury, but he is doing amazing now. I was watching all the process, the way he was coming back from the injury, how much he was working.
‘Chapeau to him and everything he has done. He deserves a lot of credit. I wish for every single player in the club to do his best. That is the only way to achieve a lot of things.’
On where he sees his role for the new season, Zinchenko added: ‘Wherever the manager is going to use me at the club, I will be happy to do my best and give my all.
The return of Jurrien Timber (right) is set to be a huge boost for Mikel Arteta (left) this season
Zinchenko celebrated winning the Premier League title with Manchester City back in 2022
‘It will be amazing competition, not just for my position but the others as well.
‘That is what you need in a team that is going to achieve a lot of things and win a lot of titles. You need to have this competition — this is the way when we push each other.
‘We are all professionals here. When we step on the pitch we all just need to do our best 100 per cent, then once we step off the pitch we can be one family again.’
