Arsenal plot to cash in 28-year-old star in January as Mikel Arteta makes decision on future at Emirates: Reports

Arsenal are reportedly willing to sell 28-year-old full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko this month, with manager Mikel Arteta ready to part ways with the Ukranian international to raise funds. Zinchenko joined the Gunners from Manchester City in the summer of 2022.

According to transfer expert Mick Brown, a former scout with Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers, Zinchenko is now deemed surplus to requirements at Arsenal. In an interview with Football Insider, Brown said:

"I’m expecting him to leave Arsenal. When he went there, he was one of a few decent players who helped stabilise things, but they’re not top-class. It was the same with [Gabriel] Jesus."

"He’s never going to be a regular in that team now, he’s fallen down the pecking order. Arteta showed that by going out and getting Timber and Calafiori. Zinchenko is another one of these players who is good on the ball and can move into midfield, but they always had concerns about him defensively."

The transfer expert concluded:

“So if a club comes in for him in the January window, I think Arsenal will let him go. He’s not a part of their plans for the future and doesn’t seem to fit in with how they play at the moment.”

Indeed, Zinchenko has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium this season. He has played just 11 games in all competitions, with eight of these coming off the bench.

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Mikel Arteta speaks about Arsenal's losses in the past week

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has spoken about how disappointing the past week has been for the Gunners. They lost 2-0 to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg on January 7 in front of their fans at the Emirates Stadium.

On January 12, they followed up that result by getting knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round, losing on penalties to Manchester United at home. Arteta was asked about the Gunners' disappointing week after the game against the Red Devils. He said (via the club's official website):

"I understand the point, but it's a remarkable week to understand what we did again today after what happened three days ago and what we did to two of the best teams in the moment right now."

"So this is what I take from the result. I understand that and it’s extremely disappointing but I cannot put my focus on that. I think it will be very, very, very unfair."

Arsenal could turn things around in the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against the Magpies. In the meantime, though, their focus will be on the North London derby against Tottenham Hotspur at the Emirates Stadium on January 15.