Mikel Arteta has handed the captain’s armband to Oleksandr Zinchenko for Saturday’s Premier League game against Leicester City (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Arteta has handed the captain’s armband to Oleksandr Zinchenko for Saturday’s Premier League game against Leicester City.
Club skipper Martin Odegaard retained his place in Arsenal’s starting XI, but Zinchenko will wear the armband as a mark of respect to mark 12 months passing since the start Russia waging war on Ukraine.
A club statement read: ‘Alex Zinchenko is our captain today, as a mark of respect and love on the first anniversary of the conflict in Ukraine.’
The former Manchester City star is the captain of his national team and has been a vociferous supporter of Ukraine ever since Vladimir Putin waged war on his home nation.
Explaining the decision to give the 26-year-old the armband, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said: ‘It means a lot to him.
Arsenal need three points to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League (Picture: Getty)
‘He’s been suffering, not just him but his family and everyone in his country.
‘It’s a really nice gesture from the club and the boys, especially Martin who gave him the armband on such a special day.
‘Hopefully it can be a beautiful day to remember.’
Zinchenko will lead a side that is still without midfield lynchpin Thomas Partey who was only fit enough to start on the bench having missed the last two games with a minor muscle injury.
January signing Leandro Trossard starts in a central role with Gabriel Martinelli back in his familiar position on the left wing having started last week’s win at Aston Villa among the substitutes.
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A class gesture.
