Zinchenko lauds ‘amazing’ Saka after Arsenal teammate got the better of him for England

Ben Stewart
England's Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group C qualifying match at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday March 26, 2023.

Oleksandr Zinchenko was full of praise for his Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka after the winger had got the better of him for England.

Saka is one of the most in-form players in Europe right now and he carried his excellent form into the international break with England.

The Arsenal winger scored England’s second goal against Ukraine with a superb strike from outside the box.

Zinchenko was on the receiving end of Saka’s goal this time and he was asked whether Saka is the best player in the Premier League right now.

“I am not going to be the guy who is going to judge,” Zinchenko told Hayters TV after the match.

“Definitely, he’s one of them, that’s for sure. I wish for him to be in this form until the end of the season because he’s such an important player for Arsenal.

“In these kinds of games, the big players decide the games, so they had two chances, obviously, in the first half, they scored two and, afterwards, it was difficult to create something.

“He’s an amazing player. We knew that. He’s on fire, at the moment and I wish him that until the end of the season. There is no friends on the pitch, unfortunately, he did me, but I will take revenge.”

Saka is into double figures for goals and assists in the Premier League this season. He’s also been involved in 33% of the goals that Arsenal have scored.

Gareth Southgate was pleased with the Arsenal winger and described the ruthless side to his game now.

“It was a top-level finish. That is the ruthless part he has added to his game in the last 18 months or so,” Southgate told reporters.

“There were times you weren’t sure he was going to finish but now he has that confidence in front of goal.

“His hunger and his humility have got him on a good path so he has all the attributes to continue to improve and learn because that is how he is wired, and I don’t see that changing with him and his family. I am not going to get drawn on where he is in world football.

“He is progressing brilliantly, a joy to work with. When he is in front of goal now he plays with real belief and that is evident with his club and with his games with us.”

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