Mikel Arteta offers Oleksandr Zinchenko his favoured position to join Arsenal

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has promised Oleksandr Zinchenko a midfield role at the club in a desperate bid to convince him to leave Manchester City.

The Ukranian is a priority target for Arteta, who worked with the 26-year-old during his time at the Etihad.

Zinchenko has primarily been used in a left-back role during his time with City but, though Pep Guardiola values him as a squad rotational player, he started just ten Premier League matches last term.

While not particularly unhappy at the club, Zinchenko would prefer more playing time and Arteta is acutely aware that his favoured position is in midfield.

According to the Evening Standard, the Spaniard will now attempt to persuade Zinchenko to join the club by offering him a midfield role.

City will not stand in his way if he hands in a transfer request but West Ham will rival Arsenal for his signature, though David Moyed views him as a left-back.

Arsenal are interested in signing Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans but their interest in Zinchenko is thought to be independent of their move for the Belgian.

The Gunners’ failure to finish in the top four has impacted their transfer plans, with Arteta set to be given a smaller budget than had been planned.

His priority is replacing Alexandre Lacazette, who is set to join Lyon on the expiry of his contract at the end of the month.

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