Mikel Arteta speaking to the press ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Bayern Munich (Picture: Getty)
Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on Oleksandr Zinchenko after he was subjected to some jeers during Arsenal’s damaging Premier League defeat to Aston Villa.
Arsenal’s title hopes were dealt a major blow on Sunday as Unai Emery’s Villa clinched an impressive 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium.
The frustration inside the Emirates was clear to see as thousands of fans left the stadium before the final whistle after Aston Villa’s quickfire double.
Zinchenko’s substitution after Villa doubled their lead was also met by some jeers and Arteta says he wants the fans to ‘stay with our players’.
Arsenal legend David Seaman singled out Zinchenko for criticism after the defeat and claimed the former Manchester City star ‘put everybody on edge’ during the game.
Asked about Zinchenko’s influence at Arsenal and the jeers he received, Arteta said: ‘I love Alex, he has given us so much. He gives us a lot.
‘He is a player with different qualities and an unbelievable courage to play football in any circumstance. We want the fans to stay with our players because for sure they are going to perform better.’
Oleksandr Zinchenko in action during Arsenal’s defeat to Aston Villa (Picture: Getty)
Arteta was speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich.
The tie is finely poised after a 2-2 draw in north London last week and Arteta says it would be ‘unbelievable’ to take Arsenal into the semi-finals for the first time in over a decade.
‘If we make semi-final, we would be in a high emotional state, there is an opportunity,’ he said.
‘The opportunity is there to write our story differently. It is about putting in a strong performance to have the right to be in the semi-final.
‘I want our team to be ourselves. Sometimes your opponent doesn’t allow you, but we are looking at the best way to win the game.’
More to follow…
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