Arsenal’s versatile defender Oleksandr Zinchenko has changed his squad number from 35 to 17 ahead of the new season. The Ukrainian international opted for the number previously worn by Cedric Soares, who departed the club earlier this summer.
Zinchenko expressed his personal affinity to the number 17, having worn it during his youth career and for his national team. The availability of the number at Arsenal presented an opportunity for the Ukrainian to don his preferred shirt.
The number 17 has been worn by several notable players at Arsenal in the past, including Alexis Sanchez, Edu, Nacho Monreal, and Alex Iwobi.
Zinchenko’s future at Arsenal had been subject to speculation this summer, but the decision to change his squad number suggests he will be part of Mikel Arteta’s plans for the upcoming season.
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