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Mykhailo Mudryk during the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk at Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain, October 2022.

Every stage of Mykhailo Mudryk’s escalating flirtation with Arsenal

Michael Lee •

It’s common knowledge that Arsenal are keen on signing Shakhtar Donetsk and Ukraine forward Mykhailo Mudryk this January and, if the player’s social media activity is any indication is anything to go by, Mudryk is equally desperate to join the Premier League leaders.

Shakhtar Donetsk and the Gunners are locked in negotiations over the transfer of the 22-year-old, who has been tipped for stardom after a series of eye-catching Champions League performances this season.

Arsenal made a second offer for the forward worth £62million which is set to be rejected by Shakhtar, with the club believing he is worth around £90million.

For his part, Mudryk has not been shy in letting the world know he wants a move to the Emirates Stadium this month. Not directly of course – there’s an image to maintain – but in a series of increasingly blatant social media updates.

We’ve collected together every Arsenal-related hint Mudryk to chart the progression from his mild flirtation with the Gunners to the current hands-and-knees begging for a transfer.

August 30, 2022

Summer is often a time of wonder and exploration for young people, especially those with as many suitors as Mudryk during the roasting months of 2022.

Brentford and Everton were among those finessing their Tinder bios and flexing their biceps in the hope of attracting the young forward but, with a tactical Instargam endorsement, Mudyrk made it clear he only had eyes for the Gunners.

November 2022

Speaking to Vlada Sedan, the wife of Arsenal full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, in November, Mudryk said: “One surprise for me was how many Arsenal fans followed me.

“No other club’s fans have interacted as much as them. Telling me that they are waiting for me, saying ‘Come to us’. One of my recent posts has over 500 comments saying that.”

After confirming he’s noticed all the attention from Gooners, and definitely enjoying it, the Ukraine international revealed he follows the club’s results.

“I check on them in ‘myscore’ and know when they’re playing I can check on them,” Mudryk said.

“I also watch them too. [Arsenal are] a very dynamic side, in general not just in controlling possession but also in scoring goals.”

December 30, 2022

The back end of 2022 saw American British-born rapper 21 Savage collaborate with constant chart-botherer Drake with the song ‘Circo Loco’.

While the track butchers Daft Punk’s ‘One More Time’ with no shame, eagle-eyed Gooners noted Savage’s line “Still gotta see the Gunners win Premier League.”

Naturally, Mudryk chose it as the backing track to his own 2022 highlights in a textbook example of using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

December 31, 2022

The scene: Mudryk is chillaxing at home watching Arsenal dismantle Brighton on New Year’s Eve to go seven points clear of Manchester City. Perhaps they don’t need him after all?

Like a green-eyed lover watching their beau chat to a handsome stranger at the bar and resolving to act, Mudryk produced this masterclass of attention-seeking bait to draw Arsenal followers back in.

January 1, 2023

Working out on New Year’s Eve? Strange behaviour.

Working out on New Year’s Eve and posting it on social media? Get a life.

Working out on New Year’s Eve and posting it on social media because your international colleague, who just happens to play for Arsenal, did so an hour previously? As see-through as a government pledge to help the poor.

January 5, 2023

At this point, Mudryk was offering himself to Arsenal on a plate with roast potatoes and assorted veg.

January 6, 2023

With the deal not being wrapped up a whole six days into January, and the inevitable plot twist of Chelsea declaring their own interest, Mudryk needed to go above and beyond to reaffirm his commitment to a club he’s yet to play for.

Come on Arsenal, put Mudryk out of his misery and sign him up.

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