OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO tried to rally his Arsenal team-mates after they slumped to a shock 2-0 deficit to Southampton – but Gary Neville found it ‘extremely strange’.
Incredibly Saints were 2-0 up by the 14th minute thanks to goals from Carlos Alcaraz and former Gunner Theo Walcott.
Immediately after they went two down, defender Zinchenko called his floundering team-mates to the centre circle and issued a rallying cry.
Footie fans were quick to comment, with one saying: “Oleksandr Zinchenko called a team meeting.”
Another said: “Zinchenko is such a terrific leader and team player. See how he called them together after that 2nd goal.”
And another said: “That Zinchenko team talk.”
One remarked: “But Zinchenko no leader – sha.”
Another chimed in: “Zinchenko = leader.”
But while fans saw the positives – Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville had a different take.
Reacting to the scenes unfolding, he said: “Well shock, absolute shock around this stadium.
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“Here it is, I think he’s calling a huddle.
“I have to say I think he would have been better off getting around his centre-back than calling a huddle.
“This is extremely strange, extremely strange.
“Martin Odegaard is having a word with him saying ‘what’s going on’ but it’s all a bit off.
“If you wanted signs of nerves, signs of tension, signs of a wobble you’re seeing it right before your very eyes.”
Zinchenko’s mid-match team talk may have had some effect as the Gunners reduced the deficit six minutes later.
Gabriel Martinelli fired home from inside the 18-yard box after getting on the end of a cross from Bukayo Saka.
The action didn’t finish there as Southampton then went 3-1 up in the second half through Duje Caleta-Car.
But at the death, Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka managed to salvage a point for the Gunners.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
