Controversy over Arsenal's group meeting on the field
"Zinchenko is a leader, and a great team player," one fan commented on Twitter. "Let's see how he gathered his teammates after the second goal."
In the 14th minute, Arsenal counterattacked, and received the second goal from Theo Walcott. While his teammates were depressed, Zinchenko shouted and then asked his teammates to gather in front of the home team's ban, trying to say something like a reminder or encouragement. Before that, just 27 seconds, the Emirates Stadium owner was conceded by Carlos Alcaraz after the mistake of goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
"It was the talk of the Zinchenko team," another fan commented.
However, former Man Utd captain Gary Neville thinks the Ukrainian defender's actions are strange, because Martin Odegaard is the captain. "I think it would be better if Zinchenko talked to the central defenders, instead of the group meeting," Neville said.
After the meeting of Zinchenko and his teammates, Arsenal played more actively. 20 minutes, they shortened the score thanks to a right-footed shot in the penalty area of Gabriel Martinelli. Despite letting Southampton make a two-goal lead in the 66th minute, Arsenal managed to regain a point thanks to goals from Odegaard and Bukayo Saka in the final three minutes.
Zinchenko moved from Man City, through a $ 36 million deal earlier in the season. Besides professional problems, he - as well as striker Gabriel Jesus - is expected to help Arsenal have more "competitive advantages" from the winning mentality because of many years of winning the championship with Man City. In a press conference in January, coach Mikel Arteta said: "Zinchenko really wants to create something special with Arsenal, and his experience is very useful in doing so."
Currently, Arsenal is still leading the English Premier League with 75 points after 32 matches. However, due to just over five points and having played more than two games, they let the right of self-determination fall into the hands of Man City. In return, thanks to 22 points more than the fifth-ranked team Tottenham, Arteta's teachers and students definitely won a place in the Top 4 and will return to the Champions League from next season.
