‘Emotional moment’:Why distraught Oleksandr Zinchenko was in tears on Arsenal bench at Anfield
A tearful Oleksandr Zinchenko was seemingly distraught after heading to the bench at Anfield on Sunday afternoon because he felt he had cost Arsenal the game in their bid to win the Premier League.
Heading into the final throes of the Sunday afternoon contest, Arsenal led Liverpool 2-1, with goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus putting them ahead.
While Mo Salah pulled one back for Liverpool before half-time, he also missed a second half penalty, which would have equalised for the hosts.
However, late on, Trent Alexander-Arnold found himself one on one with Zinchenko at the byline. The England defender nutmegged the Ukrainian and burst past him before crossing the ball into the path of Roberto Firmino who headed home to make it 2-2.
And immediately after he had been beaten by Alexander-Arnold, Zinchenko was then substituted by manager Mikel Arteta, with Kieran Tierney coming on to replace him.
It was a moment that could ultimately cost Arsenal the title. According to talkSPORT, Zinchenko’s tears on the bench were due to him feeling as though he had cost the Gunners the game.
And while the 26-year-old has been pivotal to Arsenal’s title challenge, Sky Sports pundits Jamie Carragher and Roy Keane believe the left-back should have done better defensively to stop Alexander-Arnold.
“I can’t get Zinchenko out of my head,” said Carragher.
“The league title’s on the line, you’ve got to be more aggressive. That can’t happen. There’s got to be more intensity from Zinchenko. It’s almost like he’s training and doesn’t want the ball to go through his legs.”
Keane added: “You think about the modern full-back and the obsession is how good are they going forward. I think they have lacked that real pride in defending. Zinchenko had to get down low. It’s all far too easy – especially if you’re going to win titles.
The Firmino goal to prevent Arsenal from winning could be huge in the long run.
With rival Manchester City having a game in hand on Arsenal, who currently sit six points clear, all Pep Guardiola’s side need to do is win that game, and beat the Gunners at the Etihad to climb to the top of the Premier League table.
Arsenal and Manchester City face off at the Etihad on April 26.
