Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko hands his shirt to a Shakhtar Donetsk fan after 1-0 win – as the Ukrainian defender receives a warm welcome from the travelling supporters amid his nation’s ongoing war with Russia
Oleksandr Zinchenko shared a heartwarming moment with Shakhtar Donetsk fans after Arsenal beat the Ukrainian side 1-0 in the Emirates on Tuesday evening.
An own goal from Shakhtar goalkeeper Dmytro Rizynk was the only thing that divided the two teams, with Zinchenko watching from the touchline as an unused substitute.
After the final whistle, he walked to the away team to greet the supporters from his home country and handed over his shirt to a lucky fan.
He then applauded the Shakhtar faithful, who returned the favor as they cheered for their national hero.
Zinchenko has spent the last eight years in England, initially with Manchester City before joining Arsenal in 2022.
Oleksandr Zinchenko took off his shirt and went full-time to the Shakhtar Donetsk fans
Zinchenko handed his shirt to a fan in the away corner as he greeted his compatriots
Zinchenko then cheered on the traveling fans amid his country’s ongoing war with Russia
But he has never forgotten his roots and has been outspoken about the ongoing war in Ukraine following Russia’s large-scale invasion in February 2022.
Last year, Zinchenko returned to Ukraine for the first time since the invasion and told Mail Sport about the ‘terrifying’ living conditions he witnessed as he called for an end to the ‘nightmare war’.
Stamford Bridge hosted a friendly match for Zinchenko’s charity last summer, as the Arsenal full-back raised money to help the Ukrainian people.
His efforts are clearly appreciated, which led to the warm reception he received from the away match on Tuesday evening.
Zinchenko recently released a book called Believe, in which he looks back on his rise to stardom in the Premier League.
The 27-year-old revealed in the book that he won two of his four league titles at City while being kept on the academy’s player wages.
Arsenal had to work hard, but took an important 1-0 victory on Tuesday evening
Zinchenko explained: “City’s lawyers said, ‘Look, this is an academy player contract, right? Once you make your first official game for City, we will renew your contract with the real money we pay to full professionals. Not this academy player deal. So trust us.” Of course I said yes. Follow the dream.
‘But do you know when my next contract came? The one who put me on full professional money? After playing 43 games in the Premier League! I won two Premier League titles on a youth contract.’
