Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko becomes appealing target for European giants ahead of January transfer window: Reports

According to a report by Fichajes, Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko could be a transfer target for Inter Milan in the winter transfer window. The 27-year-old joined the club in a reported €35 million deal from Manchester City in 2022.

Zinchenko became a crucial part of Mikel Arteta's team in his first season at the club and has made 73 appearances for the north London side. His contract with the club runs until the summer of 2026 but he could be allowed to leave if a good enough offer arrives.

The Gunners recently signed Italian international Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for a reported €45 million and could be open to sending the Ukrainian out. The 22-year-old has played 635 minutes across 10 games this season while Zinchenko has just 178 across five. The left-back also faces competition from Jurrien Timber and Jakub Kiwior for a starting spot.

The Arsenal defender will have a choice to make heading into the winter window, with a potential move to Inter Milan, which would likely offer him more minutes. Arteta will also have a decision to make, with the versatile defender able to provide quality cover in the event of injury or loss of form to Calafiori.

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"Some of the guys out there are not in the best condition" - Arsenal boss raises fitness concerns

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has raised fitness concerns within his team ahead of their Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest on Saturday (November 22). The London-based side has not been in the best form recently, with the Gunners without a win in their last four league games.

Arteta's side's poor run of form has seen them fall to fourth place on the table with 19 points. Speaking to BBC Sport recently, the Spanish tactician bemoaned the current fitness issues within his team, saying:

"We are still missing a lot and some of the guys out there are not in the best condition. That is all we are asking, that they are fit and available and in the physical condition to play at this level. We have not had any of that. It was patch after patch, after patch. A lot of players starting and not in the condition to finish games, so that is what I am praying for."

Arsenal have lost just once to Nottingham Forest in the last four Premier League games against Saturday's opponents. They have scored nine goals and conceded only three times in those games.