‘I was amazed’: Ray Parlour makes Oleksandr Zinchenko transfer claim

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Ray Parlour has admitted that he was left ‘amazed’ Arsenal managed to secure the transfer of Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City last summer.

The 26-year-old, after winning four Premier League titles at Manchester City, decided to take up another challenge by linking up with his former coach Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.

Yes, he has missed out on the chance to win the Treble, but for Parlour, Oleksandr Zinchenko has been ‘brilliant’ during his time in London, as he told talkSPORT.

Of course, the versatile player wasn’t the only one who left the Etihad for the Emirates because Gabriel Jesus also made that journey.

There’s no doubt that Zinchenko had a greater impact than Jesus, although, the Brazil star wasn’t helped by his mid-season injury at the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

Nonetheless, this is what Parlour had to say about Zinchenko and the quality the £32 million signing (Sky Sports) has brought to Arsenal.

“I was amazed when Arsenal got him,” said Parlour. “What a player to get, with his experiences and what he has won.

“But he has been brilliant. The way Arsenal play next season. He will start at left-back and move into midfield, then they will play three at the back. They will change it very, very quickly. He can do that.

“I know Trent tried to do it at Liverpool. He probably is a better midfielder, if I am being honest. He can defend as well. He is a decent defender. I wouldn’t say he is up there with the best.”

Can Zinchenko help Arsenal kick on?

Zinchenko helped Arsenal become title challengers last season, in comparison to the previous campaign where they didn’t even make it to the Champions League.

So, in that regard, major improvements has been made, but it’s not enough.

They want that Premier League title and they had it in the palm of their hands last season. Whilst the new faces coming through the doors will play a big part in whether they get over the line, those already in the building also need to learn from those final few months, or else, they will crumble again.