Arsenal are one step closer to landing Oleksandr Zinchenko as their fifth signing of the summer...

What's the word?

According to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners have agreed on a deal to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City.

"Arsenal and Manchester City have completed contracts for Oleksandr Zinchenko deal, set to be announced as player left City training camp yesterday in order to join AFC. He's gonna sign until June 2026," he tweeted. "Medical tests, contract signature and the official statement."

It's thought that the Ukraine international is set to cost around £30m as manager Mikel Arteta links up with his former player, having coached him as Pep Guardiola's assistant at the Etihad Stadium.

Only a matter of time

It's now only a matter of time before Zinchenko is announced as an Arsenal player and that is sure to make many supporters absolutely buzzing as they are getting another huge addition.

The 25-year-old is set to join his former teammate Gabriel Jesus at the Emirates Stadium and the pair have bags of trophy-winning experience. Last season's triumph saw the duo clinch their fourth Premier League title. They have also won multiple League Cups and an FA Cup, too.

Zinchenko provides Arteta with a hugely versatile option as he is capable of playing in his natural midfield position, as well as at left-back, where the Gunners have struggled massively, whenever Kieran Tierney has been absent.

Nuno Tavares was often thrown into the deep end and it became evident that he is not yet ready for a regular berth in the English top-flight.

Such versatility has earned plenty of praise from Guardiola, who once said: "Oleks is another player who is so reliable. I will never forget what he has done in these three or four years, playing in a position that is not his natural position."

Meanwhile, Zinchenko has been likened to players such as Joao Cancelo and Andy Robertson based on their statistical profiles, as per FBref. And when compared to his positional peers across Europe, it becomes evident that Arsenal are getting a top-tier player.

The Ukraine star ranks inside the top 1% for assists (0.35 per 90) and progressive passes (8.02 per 90), as well as the top 2% for passes attempted (85.82 per 90) and pass completion (88.5%). He even ranks within the top 4% for shot-creating actions (3.43 per 90), via FBref.

This suggests that he is a hugely attacking option along the left flank and one capable of providing the Gunners with some much-needed creativity out wide, or through the middle, given his versatile talents.

As such, supporters around north London should be absolutely thrilled as this deal edges closer to being complete. Zinchenko is set to become an Arsenal player, much to the delight of anyone associated with the club.

AND in other news, Arteta could form a "perfect" partnership as Arsenal eye summer move for £80m "tank"...