Arsenal star was ashamed that Mikel Arteta kept benching him

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·13 August 2025

Arsenal star was ashamed that Mikel Arteta kept benching him

Oleksandr Zinchenko has reflected on the emotional challenge of losing his place in the Arsenal starting line-up under Mikel Arteta last season. The Ukrainian arrived at the Emirates as a major signing and swiftly displaced Kieran Tierney to become the club’s first-choice left back. For a period, he was one of the most influential players in his position and played a key role in the Gunners’ progress.

However, his situation changed dramatically following the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori last summer. The Italian’s performances quickly earned him a place ahead of Zinchenko in the pecking order. At the same time, Myles Lewis-Skelly emerged from the youth ranks to challenge for the role, eventually breaking into the first team and further reducing Zinchenko’s opportunities.

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From key player to fringe role

As a result, Zinchenko found himself as the third-choice left back, a significant drop from his previous status. His appearances became limited to a small number of matches, many of which were less significant fixtures, while Calafiori and Lewis-Skelly occupied the primary left back spots. Despite this, Zinchenko maintained his professionalism, working to remain fit and ready for selection whenever called upon.

The defender admitted that the experience was particularly difficult to accept on a personal level, especially when his young daughters noticed his reduced role. His children’s awareness of his time on the bench brought a level of embarrassment that he did not anticipate.

(Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Family’s reaction highlighted the challenge

Speaking to The Sun, Zinchenko explained, “Eva, the older one at three and a half, says to Leia, ‘Look, there’s Daddy!’.

“Leia looks all over the pitch but can’t find me. And then Eva points and says, ‘No, he’s not playing. He’s on the bench’.

“Hearing that pained me a lot. It made me feel ashamed. I’m quite grateful that the girls are not yet at an age where they’re exposed to social media and do not have to read nasty stuff about their dad who cannot get into the Arsenal team anymore.”

Zinchenko’s comments underline the emotional strain that can accompany reduced playing time for a professional athlete. With competition for his position fierce, it remains to be seen whether he will stay at the Emirates or seek a new challenge during the current transfer window.

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