Oleksandr Zinchenko: Arsenal left-back delivers honest update on future amid contract uncertainty

The 28-year-old has spent the last two-and-a-half years with the Gunners and has made a total of 85 first-team appearances across all competitions.

However, Zinchenko has struggled with injuries this season and has fallen down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta, who has preferred to use Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly at left-back.

Zinchenko has spent the vast majority of Arsenal career playing at left-back, but he was handed just his fifth start of the season as a midfielder in Wednesday's Champions League clash with one of his former clubs PSV Eindhoven.

The Ukrainian scored the opening goal as Arsenal played out a 2-2 home draw with PSV and prevailed 9-3 on aggregate to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.

Nevertheless, Zinchenko is facing an uncertain future at the club and will enter the final year of his contract in the summer.

Before Wednesday's match, Arteta revealed that he will hold talks with Zinchenko in the summer, telling reporters: "I do that with every player before we finalise the season, if possible, if we have time to do so.

"So everybody's clear on expectations from each other, clarity about how we're feeling about each other and how that relationship can continue is the best thing, and other things to do and discuss. I'm certainly going to have that discussion with all of them."

Zinchenko unsure over Arsenal future

Zinchenko, who was linked with Borussia Dortmund in January, has since admitted that he is unsure what the future holds for him at Arsenal, but he is determined to give his all when called upon during the latter stages of this season.

"I don't know yet to be honest," Zinchenko told reporters when asked about his future. "If I would know, I could tell [you]. It's still a long way to go until the end of the season.

Zinchenko "happy" to play for "amazing club" Arsenal

"I think we are at the stage and the most interesting period of the season, where every single game is a final and you never know what is going to happen in football."

Zinchenko added: "Honestly, I am so happy to be part of this amazing club and team. It is really a joy to be close to these guys.

"Whenever the team and head coach needs me, I am there. In any position they need me, I am there to help.

"Even if I will be in the stands, I will try to make an impact as much as I can, to push the others, just to hug someone, whatever! It is really a joy to be here."

Zinchenko is not the only player facing an uncertain future at Arsenal, as midfield duo Thomas Partey and Jorginho are due to see their contracts at the Emirates expire this summer.

Written by

Oliver Thomas