Zinchenko on Losing Arteta’s Faith: A Season of Struggle and Uncertain Future
New Delhi, Aug 13 (TheTrendingPeople) — Arsenal wingback Oleksandr Zinchenko has candidly revealed in his autobiography Believe that he endured the “worst season” of his professional life during the 2024–25 campaign. The 28-year-old said the most painful part wasn’t injury—it was feeling sidelined and perceiving that Mikel Arteta no longer believed in him.
“A Player Who Doesn’t Play Is Nothing”
Zinchenko began by describing the abrupt shift he experienced:
“I was basically out of the starting XI altogether, bar a few isolated matches. In pure personal terms, it was easily the worst season I ever experienced as a professional.”
He reflected on what it feels like to go from a core member of the squad to an overshadowed substitute:
“A player who doesn’t play is nothing… The sense of rejection you feel if your manager no longer believes in you can take the stuffing out of you.”
Despite acknowledging his privileges — massive salary and Premier League status — his emotional wound cut deeper:
“Sitting on the bench … is obviously still a privilege … but every footballer started playing because they love to play the game. … Imagine this little boy … finds at 28 that he’s essentially no longer needed.”
Autobiography Believe Lifts the Lid
Believe, published in January 2025, delves beyond football, capturing Zinchenko’s journey from conflict-struck Ukraine to the Premier League’s elite. The book offers fresh insights into his relationships with managers like Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta, and his role as a voice for peace amid Ukraine’s ongoing crisis.
A Manager’s Mind Games — and Public Fallout
The autobiography doesn’t just touch on struggles — it also unveils Arteta’s behind-the-scenes ingenuity. Zinchenko reveals how Arteta sends injured players onto the team bus and into dressing rooms to mislead rival managers, part of his matchday psychological warfare.
However, some of these admissions have provoked strong reactions. A fan blog remarks that such disclosures were “indiscrete at best,” suggesting that Arteta may not take kindly to Zinchenko publicly sharing team strategies.
Transfer Storm Brewing
Given his diminished role under Arteta, speculation about Zinchenko’s future is rife.
- Fulham is reportedly leading the race, eyeing a cut-price move around £10 million — far below his £32m valuation at signing.
- European clubs including AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Ajax, and even Inter and Juventus have been linked with interest as Arsenal looks to reshuffle.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
Zinchenko’s highly personal revelations in Believe lift the curtain on the emotional toll of losing form, status, and support. When the sense of identity in football is tied to being a player, falling off the radar can cut deeply—even if the salary remains generous.
As the summer transfer window heats up, Zinchenko’s choice could define his legacy: a fresh start somewhere else — or an uneasy return to Arsenal. Either way, his story resonates as a reminder that football is as much a mental game as it is physical.