Manchester City will have to assure Oleskandr Zinchenko of more playing time to keep him at the Etihad over the summer, according to reports.

The Ukrainian defender, who can also play in midfield, showed his worth as he came on to change the game on the final day of the season, handing his side the Premier League title in the process.

What Manchester City must do to keep Oleksandr Zinchenko amid Arsenal interest

Oleksandr Zinchenko celebrates with the Premier league trophy on the pitch at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northwest England, on May 22, 2022.  (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images).

However, he appeared just 15 times domestically for the Premier League champions, 10 of those from the start, and started just five times in the Champions League on the run to the semi-final.

And, with reports linking the Cityzens with both Kalvin Phillips from Leeds United and Brighton’s Marc Cucurella, both operating in positions in which Zinchenko offers cover for Pep Guardiola’s side, it seems as though the Ukrainian will be seeking further assurances about game time before he makes his decision about the future.

Arsenal an interested party

Along with fellow bit-part Cityzen Gabriel Jesus, it seems as though Arsenal have registered an interest in Zinchenko, in part undoubtedly as a result of the time spent under Mikel Arteta at the Etihad when the Spaniard was assistant coach.

And, as per the Manchester Evening News, ‘Manchester City will have to convince Oleksandr Zinchenko he will play more regularly if they are to fend off interest from Arsenal’, while the Athletic claim that Jesus is a ‘priority’ for Arsenal.

What Manchester City must do to keep Oleksandr Zinchenko amid Arsenal interest

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – MAY 08: Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Newcastle United at Etihad Stadium on May 08, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

Any moves would likely set the Gunners back a substantial fee, with the Gunners having been quoted around £55m for the Brazilian and Zinchenko, who has two years left on his contract, unlikely to come cheap.

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