Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Arsenal move for Man City star ‘makes sense’ as Zinchenko shows how sensational signing would fit

Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte and Joao Cancelo of Man City

Riyad Mahrez, Aymeric Laporte and Joao Cancelo celebrate Man City goal

Transfer insider Dean Jones feels Joao Cancelo to Arsenal “makes sense” as he cited Oleksandr Zinchenko’s move from Manchester City as a reason it would work.

Cancelo was one of City’s most exciting talents for a good deal of his time there. Indeed, he made 154 appearances, scoring nine times and providing 22 assists.

The 2021/22 season showed him to be one of City’s finest assets. In the league, he scored once and provided seven assists from 36 games.

Alongside that tally, he scored twice and provided three assists in nine Champions League games, as the Citizens reached the semi-finals.

However, a change in system by Pep Guardiola meant he sat out a few games this season. He quickly left on loan to Bayern Munich, with the boss suggesting his desire to “play every single game” was the reason for his departure.

While he’s had some success at Bayern – directly contributing to six goals in 16 games – the Bundesliga side reportedly registered doubts about signing him permanently at the end of his loan period.

That could leave the door open to another side signing him, given it seems City will be unlikely to give him much game time if he’s to return to the Etihad.

Arsenal are one of the sides that have been linked with the full-back of late. Real Madrid and Chelsea have also been touted with interest in Cancelo.

Cancelo to Arsenal ‘makes sense’

Transfer insider Jones feels interest from a number of clubs means there could be an interesting end to this saga, with the Gunners seemingly well placed.

“The Cancelo situation is going to get interesting as we get to the end of the season as it seems clear Bayern are not going to take up an option to buy him and the rumoured Arsenal interest makes sense on many levels,” he told GIVEMESPORT.

“They are looking for a full-back; he can play either side in that sense. They obviously have Zinchenko playing a very particular role from there, but we know he can do that.

“Arsenal are also on the lookout for new central midfield options, but Zinchenko actually wants to play there more too.”

Zinchenko shows Cancelo would fit in

Jones feels Zinchenko’s success since moving to Arsenal highlights how Cancelo would fit in.

“The successful integration of Jesus and Zinchenko from Man City adds to the intrigue,” he said.

Indeed, both have slotted in perfectly after moving from City. Zinchenko was far from a star at the Etihad, but is one of the first names on the teamsheet at Arsenal.

As such, a genuine star man in Cancelo could go to another level in that environment. However, that City and Arsenal are direct rivals this season could mean the former would no longer entertain the idea of selling to the Gunners.

They’d be strengthening a side that could then contend with them for the title again, which they’re likely less than enamoured with the prospect of doing.

Jones also brought other factors to light that would need to be considered, though that consideration would surely end in Arsenal deciding Cancelo is a good asset to have.

“But we have to factor in what the investment would have to be and whether his personality is also a fit with the team,” he said.

“Both are crucial in terms of Arsenal and their ongoing recruitment strategy so even if they do show genuine interest, there’s a lot to take into consideration.”

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