Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko has decided to drop the No.35 shirt in favour of No.17 ahead of the 2024-25 campaign.
Zinchenko wore the No.35 shirt in his first two seasons at the Emirates but has decided to switch things up for 2024-25.
He will wear No.17, which was available following the departure of Cedric Soares earlier in the summer – with the Ukrainian explaining why his new number is special to him.
“The number 17 is a very special number to me.
“It was the number I wore as a young player, and I’ve always requested to wear 17 when playing for my country,” the versatile defender said, per Arsenal’s website.
“With 17 being free since Cedric left, I asked if I could change, and thanks to everyone at the club for supporting me.
“It’s also very important to say that if anyone has bought this season’s new shirt directly from the club with my name and 35 on it, they can get an exchange to my new number.”
You have to go back to 2015-16 for the last time Zinchenko wore No.17 at club level.
It was his final season at Ufa before he was handed 35 upon his arrival at Manchester City.
He will now marry his club shirt number with the same one that he wears for Ukraine.
Read more: Chelsea Midfielder Conor Gallagher Agrees £33m Transfer To Atletico Madrid
Zinchenko is busy preparing for the new season with Arsenal, with friendlies against Bayer Leverkusen and Lyon to come before their opening game of the Premier League campaign against Wolves.
The arrival of Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna and return of Jurrien Timber from injury leave questions about the former Man City ace’s involvement in his third season in north London.
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