Oleksandr Zinchenko’s Arsenal story is over. The Ukraine international's season-long loan at Nottingham Forest has been ended by mutual consent to allow him to sign permanently for Dutch Eredivisie side Ajax. Initially explored as a loan deal until the end of season, the agreement now sees the 29-year-old left-back join the Dutch side permanently and the loan fee agreed between the two sides will now be used as a transfer fee. The Ukrainian international has signed until June 30, 2026, following which both parties will hold talks on a possible longer deal.

Zinchenko arrived from Manchester City in July 2022, among the first players of the squad overhaul initiated by Mikel Arteta. He was not used as a typical left-back. Instead he stepped into the midfield, an inverted fullback who helped the team control possession in the middle of the park. But his 1-v-1 defending was a question mark and as the squad and ideas evolved over the years, Zinchenko's role began to diminish. The arrival of Jurrien Timber and Ricardo Calafiori pushed him down the depth chart.

Arsenal’s balance has increasingly demanded more traditional defensive security at left-back, and his role as an inside midfielder from fullback became less central once Arsenal had other routes to progress the ball.

In the best moments, he helped Arsenal dominate territory and possession. In tougher moments, his positioning and defensive duels became a point of debate, especially against direct wide players and when Arsenal were asked to defend transitions.

A move away was the only viable option, but he couldn't establish himself as a regular starter at Forest.

He made 91 appearances in all competitions during his three seasons with Arsenal, scoring three goals and registering five assists.

It remains to be seen whether Zinchenko can get what he has been missing for a while: a clean run of games, a clear role, and the chance to look like himself again, week after week, in the Eredivisie.