Arsenal defender could be set to return | OneFootball

Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko could be set to return to the Emirates after an underwhelming loan spell with Nottingham Forest.

The Ukrainian international moved to the City Ground this summer but may have his season-long loan deal cut short this month.

“We’ve spoken to the player, made him clear on his situation,” revealed Forest boss Sean Dyche. “He’s aware of that so we’ll see what happens.”

The 29-year-old has struggled to nail down a starting spot in his new side. He has made just 10 appearances since his summer switch, and was recently removed from Forest’s Europa League squad.

Dyche continued: “As I said, we’ll see what happens but we’re very open with him.

“He’s a thorough professional – he has been and I’m sure he will be going forwards no matter what.”

Zinchenko has not been helped by the tumultuous nature of his time with Forest. Since he joined on deadline day at the start of September, he has already played under three different managers at the City Ground.

His current boss explained: “No, we just spoke to him about the obvious parameters and the guidelines of what’s happening. 

“He’s played a couple of games, hasn’t featured in others. He’s been injured. That hasn’t been helpful to him or to us.”

Zinchenko was substituted at half-time as Forest were knocked out of the FA Cup on penalties by Championship side Wrexham last Friday. The Ukrainian will be ineligible to feature against his parent club this weekend, as Arsenal are welcomed to the City Ground.

Dyche maintained: “I’ve just been open with him, really. It’s like I say, I’m open with all players.

“But I think when you’ve done as much as he has in the game, it’s more of a conversation. Not demanding anything other than just telling him the truth, as I see it.

“And that’s how much he can figure out, how much game time he’s going to get at this time.”