Pep Guardiola has praised the effort that Oleksandr Zinchenko has always shown at Manchester City when the Ukrainian international closes his career at Arsenal.
Zinchenko is about to join Arsenal, who as City are on pre-season tour in the United States, and the transfer formalities are expected to be completed soon. A £ 30 million fee has been agreed for the versatile 25-year-old, who can operate as a left-back and midfielder.
Prior to City’s friendly against Club America in Texas, Guardiola said Zinchenko would leave with the club’s best wishes as he reunites at Arsenal with former team-mate Gabriel Jesus.
“On behalf of the club [I would like to express] thanks for the effort, how they behave on and off the field, “Guardiola said.” Yesterday was nice with Alex because we were able to say goodbye properly. Unfortunately with Raheem [Sterling] and Gabriel we couldn’t do it because it was summer but yesterday we were able to say goodbye to him and [he can] move to Arsenal “.
Zinchenko, who joined City in 2016 from Russian Ufa, will return to work with coach Mikel Arteta, who was Guardiola’s assistant at the Etihad Stadium. Zinchenko had been with City at his base in Houston, but has gone on to complete a medical examination.
Arsenal are in Florida, where they will play Orlando City on Thursday before facing Chelsea on Saturday. Arteta said: “We are in the market to continue to improve the staff, but there are so many parties involved and sometimes things don’t go as fast as you would like.”