Mikel Arteta Is in Talks With Manchester City Over Left-Back Signing

Since the retirement of Patrick Viera, Arsenal has yet to find a suitable replacement in central midfield. Arsenal is in dire need of a central midfielder and with less than a month left before the start of the English Premier League, the smoke still hasn’t settled in midfield.

Arsenal had their sights set on Ajax center back, Lisandro Martinez, who is able to play as a left-sided center back and at left back while also being able to operate in a central midfield role quite well. Upsettingly for the Gunners and Arteta, it has just been confirmed that he has signed with Premier League rivals, Manchester United.

"Arsenal are working on a deal to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City, The Athletic understands.Having already recruited Gabriel Jesus from the Premier League champions this summer, the North London side are now also aiming to bring his former team-mate to the Emirates Stadium."

Arteta and Arsenal’s attention turns back to City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko

Coach Mikel Arteta has now turned his attention to Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko to plug the hole. Zinchenko plays in the center of the park for his country but is deployed at left back for Pep’s Manchester City.

A very adaptable player who has a lot to offer going forward, which would be a plus for Arsenal, especially now that they are back in European competitions and will require depth to survive.

Both clubs are in dialogue over a potential move for the 25-year-old, who might face stiffer challenges for a spot if Manchester City signs Marc Cucurella. No concrete offer has been made yet, but it is said that the Ukrainian midfielder could cost between 20 to 25 million euros.

"The clubs are in contact over a potential transfer and it is believed that City are open to sanctioning the 25-year-old’s sale if their valuation is met.That has not happened so far but talks continue, with Arsenal thought to be prioritising Zinchenko after missing out on Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez.(Via: theathletic.com)"

Arsenal has prized away Gabriel Jesus to fill the vacant number 9 spot left by the departure of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with the latter leaving during the January transfer window already.

Jesus got off to a flyer with a brace over German club, FC Nürnberg, in his opening preseason game. Arteta, who was Pep Guardiola’s assistant at the Ethiad, still maintains great ties with Pep, which argues well for this move to happen.

This is also not the first link between Arsenal and Zinchenko. However, the club felt that missed target, Lisandro Martinez, was more suited for the role at the Emirates.

Arsenal’s William Saliba had an impressive loan spell at Marseille, playing 36 games and winning Ligue 1’s Young Player of the Year award. He will be fighting for first-team action with Ben White and Gabriel.

Arsenal has a few more players on their radar including Lucas Paqueta, Dusan Vlahovic, and Serge Gnabry, as they set to build on a top-six finish last season and fight for a top-four spot this season.