Mikel Arteta named a familiar team for Arsenal’s match against Leicester at the King Power Stadium but an unfamiliar captain as left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko was given the armband.
Martin Odegaard is Arsenal’s first-choice captain and was named in the starting line-up, as was vice-captain Granit Xhaka, but the team was led out by Zinchenko instead.
Before kick-off, Arsenal explained the decision in a statement: “Alex Zinchenko will wear our captain’s armband today, as a mark of respect and love on the first anniversary of the conflict in Ukraine.”
The 26-year-old looked visibly moved as he walked out onto the pitch before the game and his armband was in Ukraine’s traditional blue and yellow colours.
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Leicester’s captain Wilfred Ndidi also wore a blue and yellow armband.
Zinchenko has been outspoken about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last February and urged Vladimir Putin to stop the war.
Captain Oleksandr Zinchenko leads Arsenal out at the King Power Stadium.
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 25, 2023pic.twitter.com/SE5w8CiUci
Speaking ahead of Ukraine’s World Cup play-offs against Scotland and Wales last June, Zinchenko said: “Every Ukrainian wants one thing – to stop this war. I have spoken with people from all around the world, from different countries.
“I have also spoken to some Ukrainian kids who just don’t understand what’s happening back in Ukraine. They only want the war to stop. They have one dream, to stop the war.”
He added: “It’s impossible to describe these feelings until you are not in this position. The things which are happening now in our country, it’s not acceptable. It’s something which I cannot even describe.”
Zinchenko joined the Gunners in a £35m deal from Manchester City in the summer and has made a big impact for the club during his debut season.
The 52-cap Ukraine international has held off competition from Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu to become Arteta’s first-choice left-back.
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