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Arsenal announced on Tuesday night that Oleksandr Zinchenko will swap the number 35 for the number 17, taking advantage of the position vacated by Cédric Soares this summer.
Speaking to the club’s website, Zinchenko explained why he wanted to make the change.
“The number 17 is a very special number for me,” Zinchenko said. “That was the number I wore as a young player and I asked to wear 17 when I played for my country.
“As on the 17th I was loose since Cédric left, I asked if I could change and thank you to everyone at the club for supporting me.
“It is also very important to say that if I have purchased this season’s new shirt directly from the club with my call and 35, they will be able to get an exchange for my new number.
As he points out, Zinchenko’s connection to the No. 17 is evident when looking at the Ukraine national team, for which he has worn the number consistently over the more than eight seasons.
However, at the club, the left-back has worn this number since leaving FC Ufa in 2016.
When he initially arrived at Manchester City, Zinchenko had no chance of wearing the number 17 ahead of Kevin De Bruyne. He also failed to have the number on loan to PSV Eindhoven in 2016/17, as Florian Jozefzoon already had it.
Zinchenko eventually joined Arsenal, but the number was already in use through Cedric. So after 8 seasons of waiting, this is the first time Zinchenko has noticed the number 17 on his club team.
Arsenal enthusiasts will most likely get their first taste of Zinchenko in his new number when the Gunners take on Bayer Leverkusen in a friendly at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night.
After that, it remains to be seen how we will see the 27-year-old in his new jersey this season. Arsenal now have plenty of features at left back, adding new signing Riccardo Calafiori, so Zinchenko will have to fight for his place.