Struggling footballer Oleksandr Zinchenko shares emotional incident with spouse and daughters, leaving him with feelings of embarrassment
In the 2024/25 season, Oleksandr Zinchenko, the left-back for Arsenal, faced one of the toughest periods of his professional career. The Ukrainian international, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City in July 2022 for around £30m, found himself struggling for playing time, with minimal appearances and a sense of professional rejection[1].
Zinchenko admitted that last season was his "worst" and felt "ashamed" after being dropped. He believes that not playing is a result of not working hard enough or playing well enough[2]. The emergence of teenage sensation Myles Lewis-Skelly, who made his senior debut in September 2024 and secured the left-back position for the new season, contributed to Zinchenko falling out of favour[3].
Despite the setbacks, Zinchenko remains motivated to prove himself and play regularly. He started a new fitness regime to be ready for the 2024/25 season and is willing to play in any position, even participating in training exercises for the subs' XI[4]. However, Arsenal is actively seeking to move him on, with several clubs—including Real Betis, FC Porto, Fulham, and Fenerbahce—showing some interest[1].
No deals have progressed significantly, mainly due to wage demands and other factors. Zinchenko participated in preseason but was excluded from the squad for Arsenal’s recent Premier League opener, suggesting limited opportunities for him at Arsenal this season[4]. His contract runs through the 2025/26 season, after which he will be a free agent, affecting transfer interest[1][5].
Zinchenko's wife took his two young daughters to a game at the Emirates, and they noticed he wasn't playing. Hearing that his daughters couldn't find him on the pitch pained Zinchenko[3]. Borussia Dortmund is reportedly interested in signing Zinchenko this summer[6].
In the Arsenal dressing room, Zinchenko is a positive influence and tries to lighten the mood with jokes. He does not undermine his teammates and acknowledges Lewis-Skelly’s talent, even though they play in the same position. Zinchenko praised Lewis-Skelly’s talent and potential, stating that he will be one of the best players in the world[3].
As the 2025/26 season progresses, Zinchenko's future remains unclear. He acknowledges "let’s see what time will bring," indicating openness but no immediate certainty about staying or leaving Arsenal[1]. This situation suggests Zinchenko fights for his place at Arsenal for now but may move clubs if a suitable offer emerges[1][2][4][5].
Sports-wise, Zinchenko's future at Arsenal remains uncertain as he faces stiff competition from the rising star Myles Lewis-Skelly in the football position they both occupy. Desiring more game time and facing potential moves to clubs like Real Betis, FC Porto, Fulham, Fenerbahce, or even Borussia Dortmund, Zinchenko continues to work hard in training exercises, eager to prove his worth in the football world.
