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By Martin Graham | 27th Feb 2023
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has dedicated his sides hard-fought win away at Leicester City to the survivors of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
It is now one year since Russian president Vladimir Putin invaded the neighbouring Ukraine displacing tons of Ukrainians, immigrants, students and expatriates including footballers playing in the various Ukrainian leagues.
As a result, the country’s leagues had to be shut down with club’s having to let go of their best assets as they attempt to rebuild from scratch following the economic devastation that the war brought upon all sectors of Ukrainian life, including football.
While the political efforts continue among world leaders to stop the war from escalating and engulfing all of Europe, or worse, devolving into World War III, football has continued to lend its voice and financial aid to the besieged nation.
Ukrainian flags have been flown across stadiums of the world and Ukrainian players have been shown immense support by the clubs they play at overseas.
Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko was given the captain’s armband as the Gunners travelled to Leicester City to face the Foxes in a Premier League tie to cement their place at the top of the league. He put in a solid shift as the league leaders ran out 1 – 0 winners from a very tough match.
Mikel Arteta, the team’s manager, praised him for showing mental strength to go all out on such a momentous day while dedicating the win to all of Ukraine for persevering against the military might of Russia, led by Putin.
Arteta noted that the players decided that Zinchenko, who also serves as the captain of the Ukrainian national team, should wear the armband for the game.
“It was great because it was an initiative from the players,” the boss explained. “Martin came to me yesterday and they wanted to have that gesture with him.
“Today we wanted to win for him, for his loved ones, and for all the Ukrainian people that I think has inspired the world with that fighting spirit and with the togetherness they showed as a country.
“If we can add some happiness today to them and reflecting on who Alex is for us, it was a good opportunity, so I’m delighted to dedicate that win to them.”
Arsenal are still two points clear at the top following Manchester City’s emphatic 4 – 1 away win to Bournemouth AFC. The win, however, gives the Spanish tactician something to be happy about as his side slowly progresses to a first Premier League title in almost two decades.
Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer
