Oleksandr Zinchenko made Arsenal captain on anniversary of conflict in Ukraine

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 25 Feb 2023 15:14 GMT
• 3 min read

Oleksandr Zinchenko has been given the Arsenal captain's armband for their Premier League match against Leicester City as a mark of respect on the one year anniversary of the conflict in Ukraine.

Gunners club captain Martin Odegaard is included in their starting XI to face Brendan Rodgers' side, but Arsenal have handed Zinchenko the armband for the first time.

Arsenal released a statement shortly before their match against Leicester that read: "Alex Zinchenko is our captain today, as a mark of respect and love on the first anniversary of the conflict in Ukraine."

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The 26-year-old has been publicly out-spoken about the conflict and the former Manchester City defender explained the situation before their World Cup play-off against Scotland last year.

Zinchenko broke down in tears saying: "Every Ukrainian wants one thing – to stop this war. I have spoken with people from all around the world, from different countries.

"I have also spoken to some Ukrainian kids who just don’t understand what’s happening back in Ukraine. They only want the war to stop. They have one dream, to stop the war."

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Ukraine remain under attack by Russia.

Arsenal captained by Zinchenko

Arsenal will be captained by Zinchenko for the very first time. Despite his vocal leadership, the Ukraine international has never worn the captain's armband for the club he joined last summer.

In addition to naming Zinchenko as captain, Mikel Arteta also welcomes Thomas Partey back to the matchday squad, while Eddie Nketiah drops to the bench; Gabriel Martinelli will lead the line.

Arsenal will go five points clear of Man City with a win over Leicester.