Oleksandr Zinchenko says Arsenal want to “kill off” their top-four mentality - and aim higher.
Arsenal full back Zinchenko, 25, knows what it takes to win the title, having lifted four Premier League trophies during his time at Manchester City. And the Ukraine star has brought that title-winning mentality to the Emirates as he says the fans deserve more than just pushing for a Champions League place.
Arsenal are the surprise leaders in the Premier League title race and there is no sign of them letting up as they go toe-to-toe with Pep Guardiola’s City.
Mikel Arteta’s men delivered a statement victory at Chelsea and Zinchenko insists they deserve to be taken seriously as genuine contenders as he insisted there has also been a shift in mentality in the dressing room which means a place in the top four is no longer enough.
Zinchenko said: “I can feel that this group of people, they are special. Starting from our staff and then all the people on our training ground, our fans, we believe in ourselves, every single game. The way the fans support us is amazing.
“I think I would say that before I got used to hearing that Arsenal, it means straight away in your mind, top four, top four. I would say, I really want to kill and destroy this stereotype. We need to look further, and I think this team, this group of people, the fans, they deserve more. That’s what we need to do. We need hard work in this and let’s see at the end of season.
“You ask me if we can challenge Man City and stuff. Of course, they are an amazing team, but you never know what can happen in football. We need to go step by step with every single game.”
Zinchenko was part of Guardiola’s winning machine at the Etihad and knows Arteta from his time as City’s No2. The versatile Ukraine international believes Arsenal can still get better - and says the dressing room has a huge sense of togetherness and is pulling in the same direction.
He said: “There is always some space to improve but I think we are in the right way as a team, as a family. It starts in the dressing room and it’s on the pitch as well.
“We are trying to push each other, we are trying to help each other. I think this is the right way to do it. Still we have a dream, we believe that we can achieve something this season. Let’s see what is going to happen.”
Arsenal can now ensure they are top of the table at Christmas by winning their last Premier League game before the World Cup break at Wolves on Saturday which comes after their Carabao Cup tie with Brighton on Wednesday.
Zinchenko admitted that would give them a huge psychological boost in the title race if they can be above City and it would help boost confidence in the dressing room.
He added: “I think it is an important feeling for everyone, but let’s focus now on Brighton and then Wolves. Then if we are there (top of the League), it’s perfect for us. So, let’s keep going. But still there are a lot of games to play. Let’s see what is going to happen after the World Cup, but even before that we have two games.
“We have Brighton at home, which is so important for us, they are such a strong team. Then we have Wolves away, which is always dangerous. It is very, very difficult to play against them. Then afterwards we will see, but for us it is so important to be where we are now and just to keep going.”
