Arsenal star handed tax bill after losing court battle to HMRC

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Just Arsenal News

·28 August 2025

Arsenal star handed tax bill after losing court battle to HMRC

Oleksandr Zinchenko has suffered a setback in his battle with HMRC after being ordered to pay an outstanding tax bill of £300,000. The Arsenal defender had been contesting the matter for some time, but a court ruling has now gone against him.

The Ukrainian’s future at the Emirates is already uncertain, as he has fallen down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta. With two other left-backs currently ahead of him, Zinchenko faces the prospect of spending the majority of the season on the bench if he chooses to remain in North London. Arsenal are open to moving him on, and the player is also weighing up his options.

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Zinchenko’s image rights company closed

The case stems from an off field issue relating to his image rights. Zinchenko voluntarily closed the company responsible for managing these rights, which had generated significant income during his time in England. His professional career has seen spells at both Manchester City and Arsenal, and image rights payments have formed a notable part of his earnings in the Premier League.

The defender is reported to have given assurances to tax authorities that the bills would be settled, but the amount remained unpaid. The failure to clear the debt has now resulted in a legal order for the outstanding sum to be paid in full.

(Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

The Sun confirms court ruling

According to The Sun, the court has ruled that Zinchenko must pay the £300,000 owed. While the sum is substantial, the report adds that the figure is equivalent to just two weeks’ wages for the player at Arsenal, meaning he should be able to settle the matter without difficulty.

For Zinchenko, the issue is an unwelcome distraction as he considers the next step in his career. Resolving the tax bill will allow him to focus entirely on football and the decision over whether to pursue regular playing time elsewhere.

With Arsenal hoping to streamline their squad and the player keen not to stagnate, the coming weeks will be decisive. Clearing the HMRC matter quickly would enable Zinchenko to draw a line under the episode and concentrate fully on his future on the pitch.

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