Zinchenko in agreement with Guardiola as Arsenal close in on £30m transfer

Pep Guardiola and Oleksandr Zinchenko are on the same page when it comes to the Manchester City star's best position.

Zinchenko is on the brink of parting ways with City, after Arsenal reportedly struck a £30million deal with the Premier League champions to bring the Ukraine international to the Emirates. It's understood Mikel Arteta has been desperate to bring the versatile 25-year-old to the Emirates.

The assumption is that Zinchenko will provide competition for Kieran Tierney at left-back, with Nuno Tavares failing to impress since arriving last summer. Tierney, meanwhile, has struggled for fitness at times, meaning there's every chance Arsenal's incoming star could slot straight into the first team.

But left-back isn't actually Zinchenko's preferred position, as previously revealed by the player himself. City manager Guardiola has also gone on record to say that the Ukraine star should indeed be deployed in an attacking midfield role.

Speaking in April this year, Guardiola, when asked about his player's best position, replied: "In the pockets as the attacking midfielder. That is his position, definitely. When we brought Oleks from Ukraine, he was a No.10 - a Phil Foden position, a creative player.

"But the needs we had… We didn't have a left-back for many years. Fabian Delph adapted incredibly well in that position and Oleks as well. That's happened because he is well-educated, he knows exactly what it means."

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Indeed, that stance has been backed up by Zinchenko. During a Q&A session with Kevin De Bruyne last year, the player was quizzed on his preferred role in the team.

"I am not that fast, like I wish, so I prefer to play in the middle," he said. Zinchenko's admission could give Arteta a headache - but it may also be a reason why he is pressing ahead with this transfer.

The Ukraine star's versatility will give the Spaniard options, despite Arsenal's squad already being jam-packed with attacking players. In that role, they have the likes of Martin Odegaard and Emile Smith Rowe, while Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka can also play through the middle too.

That will not put Arteta off though. The Gunners' boss knows Zinchenko from his time as Guardiola's assistant at Man City between July 2016 and December 2019.

Arteta has already raided Manchester City by bringing Gabriel Jesus to the Emirates - now he is set to repeat his antics with another big-money move. The transfer would be the latest signing in what has been an impressive window for the north Londoners.

As well as Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos and Matt Turner have also signed for the club. And with the expected arrival of Zinchenko, Arsenal will be well placed to challenge for a Champions League sport after missing our to fierce rivals Tottenham last season.