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Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko is pleased to see football return in his home country Ukraine after its suspension due to the Russian invasion.
THE LOWDOWN: PERFECT START
It has been turbulent in Olekansadr Zinchenko’s native Ukraine since the Russian invasion began on February 24. It has not been the best of time for the defender, who is an important figure in the country’s national team.
Between now and then, Zinchenko has swapped clubs, leaving champions Manchester City for Arsenal and has begun the season brightly with the Gunners. The Ukrainian has barely put in a wrong shift and has now started all three Premier League games for Arsenal, playing at left-back.
Meanwhile, back in Ukraine, football was suspended but returned just this week and Zinchenko is pleased to see it happen
THE LATEST: DELIGHTED WITH THE RETURN OF FOOTBALL
Just like in other European countries, August traditionally sees football fans filled with excitement as a new season kicks off. However, for Oleksandr Zinchenko, the start of the 2022/23 Ukrainian Premier League only stir up an emotion – pride – after such a torrid year.
The first Ukrainian Premier League game in six months was staged on Tuesday as Shakhtar Donetsk and Metalist 1925 Kharkiv took to the pitch in an act of defiance and an attempt to raise the spirits of a nation still gripped by war.
All is not back to normal as some Precautions including matches only taking place in Kyiv and in the west of the country, and in stadiums that can accommodate bomb shelters were taken. Fans are not allowed at the games, and air raid sirens have been installed to warn of imminent danger.
Despite all of these stringent conditions, Zinchenko believes the resumption of the Ukrainian league is vital to bring about a semblance of normality and uplift morale in a country that has stood strong in the face of the war.
“It’s important for the country and all Ukrainian people because nobody was ready for this situation. People are still suffering and we need to fight every single day everywhere, but we need to keep going, live our lives and carry on,” said the defender on Arsenal’s website.
“People deserve the lives they had before. I’d like to say a massive thanks to the Ukrainian federation, and president Zelensky who said we needed to play our competition in Ukraine. I know it’s not going to have the best facilities but we need to keep going and that’s the most important thing for all Ukrainians. I can’t wait and I’ll watch all the games if it’s possible.”
In addition, Zinchenko has massive respect for those brave players trying to bring entertainment back into people’s lives.
“It’s difficult for me to imagine how it’s going to be,” he added. “There could be a siren and the players need to stop at some point, but it’s so important to show the rest of the world that the Ukrainian people don’t give up, and in any situation, they carry on. It’s all about our people.”
THE VERDICT: GOOD DEVELOPMENT
It is a thing of joy to see football return in Ukraine and this would definitely lift the mood of those in the country and those abroad, just like Zinchenko.
The 25-year-old has been one of Arsenal’s strong performers this season, which has seen him take the left-back position from Kieran Tierney for the time being. With the latest coming from home, this should hopefully spur the defender to keep his excellent performances up.
