Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko has spoken out following a costly error against Liverpool. Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw by the Reds at the Anfield, in what proved to be a Premier League clash for the ages. After Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus gave Mikel Arteta’s team a two-goal lead early on in the game, it appeared like they would secure their first league victory at Anfield since 2012.
To build up an enticing second half, Mohamed Salah pulled out back for Liverpool just before the break. Although Salah missed a penalty early in the half, Jurgen Klopp’s team dominated play after the break and rightly equalised late through Roberto Firmino.
Oleksandr Zinchenko breaks silence after his error leads to late Liverpool equaliser
Oleksandr Zinchenko had a near-perfect game under the pressure of a buzzing Anfield, only for his one error in the 87th minute which cost Arsenal dear. Liverpool right-back Alexander-Arnold nutmegged Zinchenko, then put a cross in the platter for substitute Roberto Firmino, who headed the equaliser beyond the helpless dive of the Gunners’ shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale.
The blame of the mistake that allowed Firmino to score and prevent Arsenal from earning a crucial victory in the Premier League title race seemed to be all bore by Oleksandr Zinchenko. In the latter moments of the game at Merseyside, Zinchenko was abruptly replaced by Kieran Tierney since he was being outplayed by his Liverpool counterpart far too easily. The Ukrainian was seen crying and holding his head in his hands as he sat on the bench.
Both sides made a strong effort to score the winning goal and had opportunities in the dying seconds, but the game ended in a stalemate, which blew a dent to Arsenal’s prospects of winning the Premier League. Oleksandr Zinchenko was criticised by former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher for not giving enough to stop the Firmino equaliser. Carragher told Sky Sports:
“We’ve raved about Zinchenko this season and he was brilliant today until Liverpool got the equaliser. He’s brilliant on the ball but lets them down defensively at the last minute. If Arsenal go back to being a team fighting for the top four, that will be exposed a lot more.
“It happened in the first game of the season at Crystal Palace where Mikel Arteta brought Tierney on for Zinchenko and it happened again today because he’s not trusted 100 per cent defensively. I can’t get Zinchenko out of my head. You need to be more aggressive – the league title is on the line! That can’t happen. It’s almost like he’s in training, there’s got to be more intensity from him.”
Following his error, Zinchenko has now turned to social media to address the gutted Arsenal’s fans. The four-time Premier League winner posted a photo of himself with the caption:
“Not the best day at the office but we go again. Thanks for support, together until the very end #COYG.”
Arsenal are now six points clear of Manchester City, who have a game in hand. On Sunday (April 16), the Gunners will travel to play their London rivals West Ham in an effort to recoup their draw against Liverpool, which almost felt like a loss. Meanwhile Leeds will host Liverpool on Monday at Elland Road.