Arsenal wanted to win for Zinchenko and for people of Ukraine, says Mikel Arteta

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had a special message for Oleksandr Zinchenko and for Ukraine after Saturday's 1-0 win at Leicester

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta with defender Oleksandr Zinchenko during the Gunners' Premier League game against Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium in February 2023.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said he wanted the Gunners to beat Leicester on Saturday for Oleksandr Zinchenko and for the people of Ukraine a year on from the start of the nation's conflict with Russia.

Zinchenko was named captain for the day to mark the anniversary of the war, which broke out on February 24th, 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine.

The Gunners edged out Leicester thanks to a Gabriel Martinelli goal early in the second half, which saw the Premier League leaders move provisionally five points clear of Manchester City ahead of the champions' trip to Bournemouth later in the day.

"We wanted to win for him," Arteta said of Zinchenko after the game.

"For his family and loved ones and all the people in Ukraine who have inspired the world with this fighting spirit they have shown for over a year now."

Arsenal will finish the day two points clear of City after Pep Guardiola's side sealed a big win at Bournemouth, but the Gunners have played one fewer fixture than the champions.

Ben Hayward
Ben Hayward
Freelance Writer

Ben Hayward is a European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.