Bukayo Saka and Oleksandr Zinchenko exchanged words after the game at Wembley (Picture: Getty Images)
Oleksandr Zinchenko insisted he will take revenge on his Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka after England downed Ukraine at Wembley on Sunday afternoon.
The Three Lions picked up a pretty comfortable 2-0 win in European Championship qualifying thanks to a Harry Kane opener and a superb strike from Saka.
It keeps up a perfect start to qualification for Gareth Southgate’s side, while it was Ukraine’s first contest in qualifying.
The two nations are due to meet again in September and ZInchenko intends to make amends for the loss in north London.
He was asked about the performance of Saka and while he was obviously impressed by his Gunners teammate, he was not ready for gushing adulation, already thinking about getting one over on his teammate when they next meet internationally.
‘He’s an amazing player, we know that. Obviously he’s on fire at the moment, I wish him that until the end of the season,’ said Zinchenko of Saka.
‘There is no friends on the pitch, unfortunately he beat me today, but I will take revenge.’
England boss Gareth Southgate was thrilled with another fine display from Saka, after watching him curl in his eighth international goal.
Southgate believes the 21-year-old has discovered a new ruthless streak in front of goal, with Saka netting 13 times for his club so far this season.
‘It is a top-level finish,’ said Southgate. ‘That is the ruthless part he has added to his game in the last 18 months or so. There were times you weren’t sure he was going to finish but now he has that confidence in front of goal.
‘When he’s in front of goal now he plays with real belief, that’s evident with his club and the games with us. You’re expecting him to score now when he goes through.
‘I think that’s been a mentality shift as much as anything technical, he’s always had the techniques.
‘He knows to be a really top wide player then you need the numbers of goals and assists, he’s without a doubt delivered that this season.’
MORE : Bukayo Saka stunner lights up England’s comfortable win over Ukraine
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‘He beat me today, but I will take revenge.’