Arsenal loanee could be sent back to club

Nottingham Forest are considering sending Oleksandr Zinchenko back to Arsenal before the end of his season-long loan, with Sean Dyche admitting he has spoken to the defender about his situation but offering no assurances on what happens next.

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Zinchenko has struggled for minutes since arriving at the City Ground and was replaced at half-time during last week’s FA Cup defeat at Wrexhamwith reports suggesting Forest could look to break the deal ahead of Saturday’s meeting with Arsenal.

Dyche said: “We have spoken to the player, made his situation clear to him, he is aware of it so we will see what happens. He is a thorough professional, he has been and I am sure he will move forward.”

THE Ukraine The international would not be eligible to face Arsenal under Premier League rules regarding loan players playing against parent clubs, although he has only started four league matches for Forest this season and only once under Dyche, so even if he could be selected it is unlikely he would be.

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Zinchenko also missed seven Premier League matches with a groin injury after feeling pain during a Europa League match against Port on October 23 and being replaced at half-time.

At Arsenal, he has missed a total of 48 matches for club and country since the start of the 22/23 season.

Dyche was appointed on October 21, 2025 and Zinchenko has played 280 minutes under him in five of Forest’s 18 matches since his arrival.

Arsenal have no place for him in their squad, so even if an agreement could be reached to end the loan deal, the Gunners would likely seek another loan move or a permanent sale.

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Zinchenko is out of contract with Arsenal this summer and is therefore free to strike a deal with a foreign club during this window for a free transfer this summer. So far, teams mentioned as interested in the defender include West Ham, Everton, Burnley and Galatasaray.