Oleksandr Zinchenko says joining Arsenal a ‘boyhood dream come true’

Oleksandr Zinchenko has described moving to Arsenal as a “boyhood dream come true” after joining from Manchester City.

The 25-year-old Ukraine international becomes Arsenal’s fifth summer signing after Gabriel Jesus, Marquinhos, Matt Turner and Fabio Vieira and joins in a deal reported to be £32M.

Upon the completion of his move to Arsenal, Zinchenko said:

“Signing for Manchester City changed my life, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity they gave me.

“It’s a special club and this has been a special period. To have won 10 trophies is incredible and I am immensely proud of everything we have achieved together.

“I have loved being part of this squad. Playing alongside world-class players and working with Pep Guardiola has been an absolute privilege and I must say the same about playing in front of the fans, who always made me feel so at home here.

“I thank them all for the support they have given me, and I wish the Club all the best in the future.”

The new Arsenal signing reveals he has been a long-term fan of the club after watching Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas star for the team when he was a youngster.

Zinchenko told the Arsenal website: “First of all I would like to say this is a boyhood dream come true, because I was a massive fan when I was a kid.

“Since Thierry Henry and young Cesc Fabregas was playing here, I was just enjoying watching those games, that Arsenal.

“And obviously I started to love this club, so I am so excited and I cannot wait to play for this amazing club.

“I’m ready for another challenge. I’m not here just to waste my time and the time of Arsenal because the club is always in front of everyone.

“I am here to achieve big things and I hope we can win some titles, and I hope we are going to fight for every title in which we are going to be involved.

“Even from the last season, I was watching The Arsenal’s games and I could smell it’s coming, you know?

“The team is growing up so quickly and I think it’s time. It’s time to do our best and to achieve something big.”

The 25-year-old is Arteta’s second raid on Premier League champions City since the end of last season after their £45 million signing of Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus.

Arsenal have also landed Marquinhos, Matt Turner and Fabio Vieira in the current transfer window.

Zinchenko, who has 52 caps for Ukraine, made 128 appearances for City after joining in 2016, but featured just 15 times in the Premier League last term.

He won both the Premier League and League Cup four times, also lifting the FA Cup once.

A desire for guaranteed first-team action and the opportunity to feature more often in midfield convinced him to move to Arsenal, who finished fifth in the Premier League last season.

Zinchenko has already joined up with Arsenal on their pre-season tour in Orlando.

City are expected to present a formal offer to the Seagulls for the Catalan, who could cost them in excess of £50 million.

However, at the moment, no fee has been agreed between the two clubs and the South Coast outfit are holding strong on their valuation.