Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko was singled out for criticism following the 2-0 Euro 2024 qualifier defeat away to England at Wembley, former Ukraine international Viktor Leonenko questioning his leadership skills.
This is not the first time Arsenal’s number 35 has seen his role in the national set-up called into question.
Leonenko himself described Zinchenko as a ‘weak’ link in Ukraine’s backline ahead of Sunday’s meeting at Wembley, and the former Manchester City ace certainly did not change many minds with another underwhelming display in his 52nd international outing.
“Again, our leaders have gone somewhere. It’s the same as under (former coach Oleksandr) Petrakov. It’s just that everything was blamed on him,” says Leonenko.
“Where is Ruslan Malinovsky? Where is Zinchenko? It was from his and Mudryk’s zones that the goals were scored.”
Arsenal’s Zinchenko struggles as Saka inspires England win vs Ukraine
In Zinchenko’s defence, there was not much the 26-year-old could do to stop his Arsenal team-mate Bukayo Saka giving England a 2-0 lead at half-time; one of Gareth Southgate’s favourites setting up Harry Kane’s latest England strike before curling home a wonderful second. Saka doing a more-than passable Arjen Robben impression on the stroke of half-time.
“Why is everyone silent about how many tackles he had?,” Leonenko adds, Zinchenko having completed just one successful challenge in 90 minutes at Wembley (FanDay).
“This is clearly noticeable.”
Following Thursday night’s impressive 2-1 win away at old adversaries Italy, England have begun their latest European qualification campaign with two wins out of two. Zinchenko, meanwhile, paid a gracious tribute to his Arsenal team-mate at full-time.
“I wish for him (Saka) to be in this form until the end of the season,” Zinchenko tells Hayters TV. “He’s such an important player for Arsenal.
“In these kinds of games, the big players decide the games. (England) had two chances in the first half, and they scored two. And, afterwards, it was difficult to create something.
“He’s an amazing player. We knew that. He’s on fire, at the moment and I wish him that until the end of the season. There are no friends on the pitch. Unfortunately, he did me. But I will take revenge!”
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