CHENKO: WE’LL BE AT BEST
OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO reckons Arsenal will have shrugged off any European hangover before facing Aston Villa at the Emirates today.
The Gunners were rocked on Tuesday when held to a
2-2 home draw by Bayern Munich in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal blockbuster.
Despite a rare, shaky performance from the North Londoners’ previously rocksolid rearguard, Zinchenko is convinced they will be back to their resilient best this afternoon for the visit of Unai Emery’s men.
The Ukraine left-back, a second-half substitute against the German giants, said: “This is football. When you play against some of the best players in the world, it’s always tough to keep clean sheets.
“For us, it’s very clear, every game is a final – in the Premier League and the Champions League. We just need to show our best performance.”
Having failed to keep Harry Kane quiet on Tuesday, the Gunners now tackle a Villa side led by his England understudy – Villans’ in-form top scorer Ollie Watkins.
Throw in the fact Mikel Arteta’s troops suffered a 1-0 defeat at Villa Park in December and it is clear that an 11th league victory in 12 will be anything but a formality.
Zinchenko started for the first time in two months as Arsenal beat Luton 2-0 at home at the start of the month. His previous appearance in the starting XI had been against Liverpool on February 4 when he was forced off with a calf injury.
Zinchenko, a four-time Premier League champion with Manchester City, said: “We know how good Villa are – and that Watkins is having a great season.
“In the past against Villa we dropped points when it wasn’t necessary to. So I really hope we learn from it.
“We are not focusing much on the Premier League table – just trying to win every single game, that’s all.
“Every team which is fighting in this competition believe they can do it – and we’re definitely one of them.”