Pep Guardiola has thanked Oleksandr Zinchenko for his contribution to Manchester City as he prepares to complete his £32million transfer to Arsenal.
The Ukrainian is set to make the big-money move to the Emirates Stadium after six years at City, during which he won four Premier League titles, four Carabao Cups and one FA Cup. Zinchenko contributed to some vital moments during his time at the club, including on the final day of last season, where he grabbed an assist against Aston Villa as City came from behind to win and lift the title.
Zinchenko had only made 33 senior appearances for Ufa before his switch to City in 2016, and after spending his first campaign on loan at PSV, he quickly established himself as a useful cog in Guardiola's squad. In total, the 25-year-old played 128 times for the Citizens and Guardiola is grateful they were able say goodbye to the player properly.
The Spaniard said: "I'll say on behalf of the club our gratitude on and off the pitch. It was nice yesterday with Oleks because we could say bye properly. Unfortunately, Gabi [Gabriel Jesus] and Raheem [Sterling] could not do it but with him we could and he moves on to Arsenal."
Zinchenko is the third big-name City player to leave the Etihad this summer after Jesus made a £45m move to Arsenal earlier this month. The Brazilian scored plenty of goals for the Sky Blues over the course of his five-year stint and netted 13 times in 41 matches last term.
Meanwhile, Sterling joined Chelsea last week to become their first summer signing and, like Jesus, he came up with many crucial moments. The 27-year-old's departure leaves Kevin De Bruyne as the only player left from the 2015/16 City squad that was managed by Manuel Pellegrini.
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Meanwhile, echoing Guardiola's sentiments, Kyle Walker paid tribute to former teammate Zinchenko as he departs for a new challenge. He said: "Zinchenko will be a miss but life goes on. It's a hurdle we have to overcome.
"We've lost two big characters with Fernandinho and Raz [Sterling]. But me, [Ilkay] Gundogan, Ruben [Dias], Rodri, [Nathan] Ake need to step up and maintain the level when senior players leave."
City have also made four signings in the summer window, with Erling Haaland becoming their first addition back in May as he joined from Borussia Dortmund for a fee in the region of £51m. Argentinian starlet Julian Alvarez has made the switch to the Etihad, while Stefan Ortega and Kalvin Phillips have also signed.
