March 26th 2023.
(Image Source: https://metro.co.uk) Oleksandr Zinchenko declared he would exact revenge on his Arsenal colleague Bukayo Saka after England defeated Ukraine at Wembley on Sunday.
The Three Lions earned a comfortable 2-0 victory in the European Championship qualifying match, with a Harry Kane opener and Saka's incredible strike.
This was the perfect start to qualification for Gareth Southgate’s side, while it was Ukraine's first contest in qualifying.
The two countries are due to clash again in September and Zinchenko vowed to avenge the loss in north London.
When asked about Saka's performance, he was clearly impressed but he was not ready to give in to praise, already looking ahead to getting the better of his teammate on their next international meeting.
‘He’s an incredible player, we know that. Evidently he's doing really well at the moment, I wish him all the best until the end of the season,’ said Zinchenko of Saka.
‘There are no friends on the pitch, unfortunately he beat me today, but I will take revenge.’
England coach Gareth Southgate was ecstatic with Saka's excellent display, as he scored his eighth international goal.
Southgate believes the 21-year-old has developed a new merciless streak in front of goal, with Saka netting 13 times for his club this season.
‘It's a first-class finish,’ said Southgate. ‘That's the ruthless part he's added to his game in the last 18 months or so. There were times you weren't sure he was going to finish but now he has that confidence in front of goal.
‘When he's in front of goal now he plays with real assurance, that's obvious with his club and the matches with us. You're expecting him to score now when he goes through.
‘I think that's been a mentality shift as much as anything technical, he's always had the techniques.
‘He knows to be a really top wide player then you need the numbers of goals and assists, he's without a doubt achieved that this season.’
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