Oleksandr Zinchenko | Joins Arsenal for £30m

[Coatigan]

I’m the opposite but I hope he stays and we get Cuc. If the clubs have agreed,and he wants to go, Arsenal will not be offering him less than City It will just be a case of getting as good a deal as he can. Strange though as personal stuff usually comes first.

Only if you take it to be true, and not just filling the silence and buying a bit of time while there is nothing to report.

I'd struggle to see how it would have got as far as us agreeing a fee with Arsenal without personal terms agreed.

But then who knows, Zinch has previous. Maybe once again he just wants to win shit.

('Make him rot in reserves', someone shouts from the back)

 

[Coatigan]

Absolute bollocks.

2017-19: Walker, Mendy, Danilo (Delph and Zinchenko emergency)
2019-21: Walker, Cancelo, (non-functional) Mendy, Zinchenko (still makeshift)

So, 4 in both those years, yes. Thanks for confirming.

 

[Dobsy]

So, 4 in both those years, yes. Thanks for confirming.

I think original poster probably meant 4 *specialist* full backs rather than 4 *functioning* full backs.

Agree with you that Delph, Zinchenko, Ake have been able to fill in acceptably. Would be great to have Walker, Cancelo, Cucurella and A N Other attack minded full back mind, rather than a sort of stand in / slightly out of position person. That said, that's part of the squad management to give everyone minutes.

 

[JewelZee]

Peps taken a couple of the EDS full backs on the preseason tour. JWE & Rico Lewis. JWE probably the most likely but has had his injury issues last couple of seasons.

He's the most likely guy to replace Zinchenko...

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

He's the most likely guy to replace Zinchenko...

Be interesting to see how he gets on in the games coming up.

 

[Coatigan]

I think original poster probably meant 4 *specialist* full backs rather than 4 *functioning* full backs.

Agree with you that Delph, Zinchenko, Ake have been able to fill in acceptably. Would be great to have Walker, Cancelo, Cucurella and A N Other attack minded full back mind, rather than a sort of stand in / slightly out of position person. That said, that's part of the squad management to give everyone minutes.

Zinchenko had been a 'specialist' for the best part of 5 years though. Been used as that, trained as that, been listed as that in 4 different competitions, on the club website etc etc.

If people can't accept that because they can't get over the fact he was a midfielfer for his previous club, that's on them.

Fact is, apart from last year when Mendy was made unavailable after the season started, we have had 4 FBs every year. edit, except 2017 too.

 

[kun]

So, 4 in both those years, yes. Thanks for confirming.

I absolutely did not confirm your misinformation.

Zinchenko was not a fullback in 2017 and anyone claiming he was is just lying, stupid or has an awful memory. Neither was Delph - everyone knows this. Same goes for the following season.

Once Zinchenko had been established as a left back we technically had 4. Mendy, though, was not functional. Which is what you said. Zinchenko was still a makeshift so we really only had 2 natural and functional fullbacks.

It’s also 4 years. Not 2. Read the numbers.

 

[JewelZee]

Managed, good word. And that wasn't through choice either, we didn't go into every season expecting to deal with only 3, would have sold or sent one out on loan if we did.

Managed in the prem and in domestic cups...not so much in the CL...has this situation been a factor...its at the very least debatable...

 

[JewelZee]

While I agree myself, in fairness, we can't possibly know that. There is just as much chance the club knew Zinchenko would leave and looked at Cucurella in case that happened, as there is they identified Cucurella as an additional targeted player. We can read into it how we want to, but there is nothing clear cut.

I understand what you're saying but how could they have known Zinchenko would be leaving back then especially since he's always been resistant to leaving the club and willing to stay and fight for his spot...also, how would they know someone would meet their valuation of him? One doesn't have to look past what just happened with Ake to know that's not a sure thing...
Stay firm, don't bail on me now, LOL...

 

[Coatigan]

I absolutely did not confirm your misinformation.

Zinchenko was not a fullback in 2017 and anyone claiming he was is just lying, stupid or has an awful memory. Neither was Delph - everyone knows this. Same goes for the following season.

Once Zinchenko had been established as a left back we technically had 4. Mendy, though, was not functional. Which is what you said. Zinchenko was still a makeshift so we really only had 2 natural and functional fullbacks.

It’s also 4 years. Not 2. Read the numbers.

I'll give you 2017, you are right there.

From 2018 onwards Zinchenko was a LB. The reason we reportedly didnt sign one that summer was because he chose to stay.

You can add whatever definitions you want, functioning, specialist, that likes olives, over 5.3, it is nonsense.

We had 4 every year apart from 2017 (edited above), and last year due to something outwith the clubs control.


That in itself doesnt mean the club have to have 4 this season, so I don't see why you are obsessing with rewriting history.