Oleksandr Zinchenko has aimed a dig at Tottenham Hotspur in his autobiography Believe, which was released this week.
LUTON, ENGLAND: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal celebrates after Declan Rice of Arsenal (not pictured) scores the team’s fourth goal during the Premier League match between Luton Town and Arsenal FC at Kenilworth Road on December 05, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko has released an autobiography this week, writing about his playing career and the fallout from the Ukraine War.
But one section Arsenal fans might enjoy comes from long before the player’s spell with the Gunners.
“In 2010, I read an interview with French defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto,” Zinchenko wrote (via Jordan Davies).
“He said: ‘I don’t know why everyone lies. I play football for the money. It’s my job, not my passion.'”
LONDON, ENGLAND: Gervinho of Arsenal closes down Benoit Assou Ekotto of Tottenham Hotspur during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal at White Hart Lane on October 2, 2011. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
“I was very young and really didn’t understand that attitude at the time,” Zinchenko continued. “Actually, I still don’t understand it today.
“To me, football is happiness, a dream. I could never see it as just a job; I love the game far too much.
“Maybe he didn’t enjoy it because he played for Tottenham Hotspur? That can’t be a lot of fun.”
STUTTGART, GERMANY: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Ukraine after the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Ukraine and Belgium at Stuttgart Arena on June 26, 2024. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Though he’s still made more appearances for City than Arsenal, Zinchenko is in his third season in north London, so he’s got a good feel for the north London derby.
The defender has played in three of them, with Arsenal winning the first two and drawing the third. Zinchenko was then on the bench for the 3-2 win away from home last season and he was out injured for the 1-0 win in September.
So Arsenal are yet to lose a game against Spurs since Zinchenko’s arrival, which probably doesn’t help with the player’s view of the club.
Manchester City had a much worse record against Spurs, though Zinchenko only ever started in one defeat to the side. From his other three starts, City won twice and drew once.
Since that Assou-Ekotto interview in 2010, one thing Zinchenko has never seen Spurs win is a trophy. You can understand why he might think playing for the club is a bit depressing.