Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko has admitted that he considered joining the Ukraine frontline before making the switch to North London as he tries to raise money for the people of his nation.
It is so easy to get caught up in the world of football that sometimes the bigger issues the world faces can get pushed to the back of our minds. While Oleksandr Zinchenko has been fighting for Arsenal to help them toward a potential Premier League title, his compatriots in his homeland are fighting on an entirely more serious, dangerous and desperate level to defend their home nation of Ukraine.
However, perhaps things could have gone very differently had the then 25-year-old followed through on his initial instincts. Writing in collaboration with Ukrainian football legend Andriy Shevchenko on their brand new GoFundMe page aiming to raise money for the cause to help rebuild and supply the necessities to those affected.
“You can’t stay back while your country is attacked,” Zinchenko wrote. “People in Ukraine are fighting for their lives.
“I considered going myself to help at the front as a soldier. But I can use my platform to fight the war in a different way by helping with donations and just keeping attention on the situation in Ukraine.
“I want to inspire people to help Ukraine, raise awareness and do everything I can to help my country win this war.”
Reuters suggests that more than 42,000 people have died, ~14 million people displaced and at least 140,000 buildings have been destroyed adding up to approximately $411 billion (~£330 billion). The goal of the fundraiser is £50,000 and you can help by going to the link here.
Zinchenko and Arsenal prepare this week for the visit to Anfield. The Ukrainian was not available for the 3-2 win at the Emirates Stadium in October.
Arteta instead used Takehiro Tomiyasu who put on a competent defensive display against Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nunez. Zinchenko is an altogether different type of player and whilst Salah and company might have more joy than their previous clash with the Gunners, Arsenal’s attacking might will be considerably heightened with Zinchenko’s presence.
Arsenal know a win would be a huge boost to their title hopes. Whereas defeat puts the control back in the hands of rivals Manchester City who smashed the Reds 4-1 just a week prior.