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By LUKE POWER, SPORTS REPORTER Published: 02: 26 AEDT, 17 February 2026 | Updated: 03: 02 AEDT, 17 February 2026 22 View comments Oleksandr Zinchenko's loan to Ajax has been ruined after a knee injury ended his season just two minutes into his home debut. The Arsenal loanee, 29, went down early for the Dutch giants against Fortuna Sittard on Saturday. He had made a first outing against Alkmaar away earlier this month, playing 14 minutes, meaning the full-back lasted a total of 16 minutes. It is a huge blow for him personally and also for Ukraine, who contest their World Cup qualifying play-off campaign next month, starting with Sweden in the semi-finals. This is his 34th injury since he joined Manchester City in 2016 - in that time he has already missed 132 games. Ajax said in a statement: 'Oleksandr Zinchenko has been ruled out for an extended period. Oleksandr Zinchenko suffered a season-ending knee injury two minutes into his home debut on loan at Ajax The 29-year-old joined Ajax to build his fitness but will now miss months of action He has fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal and his contract expires in the summer 'The defender suffered a knee injury last weekend in the early stages of the home match with Fortuna Sittard at the Johan Cruijff Aren A. 'Examination at the hospital has shown that surgery is required. This will take place in the near future. 'The 29-year-old Ukraine international will then face a lengthy rehabilitation period, which means he will not play again this season. ' Zinchenko spent the first half of the season on loan at Nottingham Forest but they cancelled it in late January as he was unhappy. The Ukrainian, who suffered from injuries during his time at the City Ground too, made just 10 appearances across all competitions for Forest. Arsenal were willing to sell him in the summer as the £150, 000-per-week star has fallen down the pecking order at the Emirates. Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly are ahead of him in the pecking order in his preferred left-back role. He is a versatile play and can play in the centre of midfield but it would be an uphill task to dislodge specialists in the ilk of Martin Odegaard, Declan Rice, and Martin Zubimendi. Zinchenko spent the first half of the season on loan at Nottingham Forest Fulham and Marseille were interested in him over the summer. Zinchenko has been a success in the Premier League, winning four titles with Manchester City before making the switch to north London in 2022. He has racked up 239 appearances playing for English clubs but has often been held back by injuries. His contract with Mikel Arteta's side expires at the end of June.
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