Oleksandr Zinchenko: “We Need To Believe Until The Very End”
Arsenal secured a thrilling 4-2 comeback win away to Aston Villa on Saturday, with Oleksandr Zinchenko scoring his first goal for the club to help set the stage for a dramatic finish.
Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal scores the team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on February 18, 2023 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Despite trailing 2-1 at half-time and struggling to take their chances, Arsenal came out firing in the second half and eventually found the net through Jorginho’s long-range effort, which rebounded off the bar and Emi Martinez’s head before crossing the line.
Gabriel Martinelli then sealed the victory with a breakaway goal after Martinez had gone up for an Aston Villa corner that he got nowhere near.
Zinchenko, who netted Arsenal’s equaliser in the 65th minute, was full of praise for the team’s character and determination, saying, “We didn’t play well in the first half.
“That shows again that we have character in this team.”
He also noted that the manager’s halftime team talk was instrumental in sparking the comeback, adding, “The manager said the right words at half time…Everyone wanted to get back out onto the pitch as soon as possible, we went out of the door even before the whistle.”
Despite the milestone of scoring his first Premier League goal in his 92nd appearance in the competition (after 74 shots), Zinchenko’s focus was squarely on the importance of the win, saying, “It was so important for us to be back on track.
“It’s not just about in terms of points and the table. It’s about the rhythm and our mood in the dressing room and the training ground. We just need to keep fighting until the very end.”
Reflecting on the match, Zinchenko emphasised the importance of never giving up and always believing in the team’s abilities, telling BTSport, “From this game I would like to say two things.
“First we took an unbelievable lesson for all of us that we need to believe until the very end…If we are going to keep fighting and keep believing. The reaction from all of us in the second half is a perfect way to go.”
Jorginho echoed Zinchenko’s sentiments, describing the win as a valuable lesson and praising the team’s ability to come together and change the game in the second half.
“That’s the Premier League. That’s why it’s the best league in the world. It’s just beautiful…We came in at half-time, had a chat and then we went back doing the basics we need to do and changed the game,” he said.
Overall, the victory was a much-needed boost for Arsenal, who had been without a win in their previous four matches.
With the team’s character and fighting spirit on full display, the win serves as a reminder that Arsenal still have the potential to achieve great things this season if they continue to work hard and believe in themselves.
