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Arsenal defender 'expected' to leave for Bundesliga giants, as Mikel Arteta faces Premier League crossroads

Gunners 'expect' to lose defender to Bundesliga side, with Arteta at crossroads
© Imago
Arsenal are reportedly likely to lose a defender in the summer to a Bundesliga club, with boss Mikel Arteta facing a critical summer transfer window.

Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko is reportedly expected to leave London to join Borussia Dortmund ahead of a critical summer for boss Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners were beaten 2-1 by Bournemouth at home on Saturday in the Premier League, dropping points for the 17th time in 35 matches.

Head coach Mikel Arteta will hope that his side can overturn their Champions League semi-final first-leg deficit against Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, as his team will otherwise close out the season empty-handed.

The Gunners boss may need to make a number of additions in order to get his side over the line to win major silverware, but he could have to sell a number of players in order to make room for new signings.

Left-back Zinchenko has been linked with an exit to Borussia Dortmund by Football Insider, with the defender falling behind both Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori in the pecking order.

Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko on March 12, 2025© Imago

Why Arteta faces critical summer

Having lost out on the Premier League title to Liverpool this term, Arsenal face the prospect of a fifth consecutive season without winning a trophy.

Arteta will be particularly disappointed by his side's failings in the top flight this campaign considering they did not take advantage of the shortcomings of 2023-24 champions Manchester City.

After spending in the region of £600m since arriving at the Emirates at the end of 2019, there is an argument that the Spaniard should have won more during his time in London.

The Gunners boss has still experienced significant success at the club, with his work helping to take Arsenal from relative obscurity to regularly challenging for the title.

However, it should be noted that Arsenal may face even more difficulties next season given Manchester City are likely to improve considerably, while other sides such as Chelsea are certain to strengthen in the summer.

If Arteta is backed in the upcoming transfer window but fails to bring silverware to the Emirates once again, questions may start to be asked of the Gunners manager.

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Written by
Lewis Nolan

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