Oleksandr Zinchenko and Gabriel Jesus return to their former club for a showdown they know they have to win
nly 11 months have passed since Oleksandr Zinchenko, a force of nature in those final weeks of Manchester City’s campaign, cut back for Rodri to equalise against Aston Villa and haul them to within one goal of the title. The player who retrieved the ball from Robin Olsen’s net and ferried it back towards halfway was Gabriel Jesus, not a scorer that day but far from redundant during the run-in. Jesus would have an indirect role inThese moments will live in City’s folklore for decades.
After Theo Walcott had given Southampton a stunning 2-0 lead at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night it was Zinchenko – rather than the captain, Martin Ødegaard – who gathered a shellshocked group into a huddle and called the odds. It is not an exaggeration to say the Ukrainian has become the key voice in the dressing room: the story that he was greeted by laughter in pre‑season when he demanded a title push of his new teammates is well told, but his belief was infectious.
Jesus is less of a rhetorician but his diligence, approachability and professionalism have made a similar impact at Arsenal’s training ground. Early in the season his extraordinary spark and work rate from the front showed what the side would be capable of when cranking its attacking volume up a notch. The improvement, which could be directly linked to Jesus’s example, survived much of his winter absence through injury and Arsenal’s frontline can rarely be accused of looking flat.
Now, though, Arsenal find themselves in a dip even if it says plenty for the ludicrously high standards required to challenge City that
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Brighton v Manchester United: FA Cup semi-final – liveMinute-by-minute report: Who will make it through to another Wembley appointment in June? Find out with Rob Smyth
Read more »
Manchester United get job done but Brighton’s blueprint is one to emulate | Jonathan WilsonErik ten Hag can be satisfied with an FA Cup final place but Brighton show how attractive, smart football is possible on a limited budget
Read more »
Russia captures three more districts in the Ukrainian city of BakhmutThe fight for the Ukrainian city of Bakhmut has continued for months, with nothing but ruins as evidence of what it once was. Russia has said its troops have captured three more districts in the last part of the city held by Ukraine. Allies met in Germany yesterday, announcing that more than 30 Abrams tanks will arrive in Germany next month. Training is expected to take 10 weeks, meaning it could be months until the additional aid reaches the frontlines where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says all efforts are focused.
Read more »
Russia-Ukraine war live: thousands evacuated after bomb scare in Russian city struck by own forcesMore than 3,000 evacuees returning in Belgorod after explosive disposed of, days after accidental plane strike; Russian missiles hit Kharkiv
Read more »
Cycle hire: how poor parking put a spoke in the wheel of city schemesThe boom in e-bike rental schemes may be good for the planet, but dumped bikes have become a dangerous urban blight
Read more »
Mahrez gives timely reminder of his value for City with historic hat-trick | Nick AmesAfter a mixed start to life at Manchester City, the Algerian has grown into one of Pep Guardiola’s most influential players
Read more »