Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal recently engaged in a casual interview, a clip of which is gaining traction on social media. The setting appears to be a relaxed chat for Arsenal‘s social channels, with both players seated on a lawn.
In the video, as they exchange questions, an ambulance passes by in the background, its sirens audibly blaring. Seizing the moment, Jesus playfully gestures towards the ambulance, quipping that it’s “your taxi” arriving.
The jest is aimed at Zinchenko’s history of injuries, a recurring theme in the jokes often directed at him, both at Arsenal and in his previous club, Manchester City.
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Fans are finding amusement in the Brazilian’s cheeky humor while also expressing sympathy for Zinchenko, who seemingly finds himself at the center of jests.
The underlying humor holds weight due to Zinchenko’s injury-ridden track record. During the previous season alone, he was sidelined for a total of 18 matches due to four distinct injuries, amounting to 154 days off the field.
Zinchenko’s most recent injury occurred in May during a Premier League match against Newcastle United, further underscoring the challenges he faces in maintaining his physical well-being.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is back in training after his latest injury in May
Arsenal’s left back, affectionately referred to as ‘Alex’ by teammates, is making positive strides in his recovery from a troublesome muscular injury sustained in May.
This development comes as the Gunners gear up for their new Premier League season, which begins with a home match against Nottingham Forest.
Recent reports emanating from London indicate that Zinchenko has resumed training with the club, hinting at a potential return to the squad in the upcoming weeks. The Ukrainian player’s injuries have been a matter of concern, leading to his absence throughout the pre-season tour in the USA.
Zinchenko explaining his inverted role brilliantly pic.twitter.com/RCuDJ0pYfc
— Asad🇵🇸 (@asxd_98) August 3, 2023
Managerial comments shed light on Zinchenko’s condition: “With Alex, he had a muscular injury again, unfortunately. He’s getting back – I think he’ll be back soon, but it’s a shame that he hasn’t been with us the whole tour.”
Over the summer period, Zinchenko has been engaging in individual training sessions, demonstrating his eagerness to rejoin the squad. The Ukrainian was effectively used as an inverted fullback by Arteta last season, where he earned rave reviews.
As the Gunners set their sights on challenging Manchester City once more in the impending Premier League season, Zinchenko’s potential return could offer a valuable boost to the team’s efforts.