Arsenal star Zinchenko confirms disappointment with compatriot Mudryk’s Chelsea switch

Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko has, on Friday, provided an insight into his thoughts on fellow countryman and friend Mykhailo Mudryk making the move to London rivals Chelsea.

The name of wide-man Mudryk, of course, took its place front and centre in the English media headlines throughout the January transfer window.

This came as the 22-year-old was added to the wishlists of not one, but two of the Premier League’s heavyweights.

For much of the window, it was Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal who were viewed as the clear frontrunners to clinch a deal for Mudryk, amid long-standing negotiations with Shakhtar Donetsk.

This was, however, until Chelsea entered the fray at the last minute, to blow the Gunners out of the water courtesy of a record-breaking offer.

Mudryk, in turn, went on to make the move to Stamford Bridge, putting pen to paper on a head-turning eight-and-a-half year contract.

And, as alluded to above, on Friday, one would-have-been teammate of the explosive attacker, had he in the end made the move to Arsenal, has spoken out on the subject of Mudryk landing at Stamford Bridge.

During an interview with the Daily Mail, Oleksandr Zinchenko, who this week linked up with Mudryk on international duty with Ukraine, admitted that he has conversed with the youngster regarding his winter move to England.

And, after first assuring that there are no hard feelings between the pair, Zinchenko went on to admit that he was left disappointed by Mudryk penning terms with a direct rival:

“I told him: “It’s gone already, it doesn’t matter what you wanted, what the other guys wanted.

“Now you’re a Chelsea player, you signed a long-term contract and you have only one option, only one way, direct and forward.

“Unfortunately he didn’t become an Arsenal player – as I wanted personally! – but it’s life.”

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