A country completely torn apart by conflict, Ukraine’s senior men’s national team visited Hampden Park at the start of June to try and reach the final qualification round for the World Cup. Prior to the game, it had been reported that Arsenal were considering a move for Oleksandr Zinchenko, which gave plenty of Gunners supporters a reason to watch the match. However, it would be a substitute who would catch the eye of fans and the club come the final 23 minutes of the game.
Mykhaylo Mudryk started on the bench for Ukraine ahead of his senior international debut with 25-year-old Viktor Tsygankov the starting left winger at the time. Fast forward just three months and the Dynamo Kyiv forward is now grappling with his Shakhtar Donetsk counterpart to keep his spot in the side, one of the key reasons for Arsenal's lengthy interest.
Ukraine had an excellent game and Oleksandr Zinchenko would be awarded the man of the match for a controlled and influential midfield performance that was capped off with an assist for Artem Dovbyk in minute 95. Yet the man who’d go on to sign for Arsenal that summer would drift out of focus after the 72 minutes as this 21-year-old talent replaced Tsygankov.
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The Ukraine manager Oleksandr Petrakov had clearly recognised Scotland's overcommitted approach to try and get the equaliser and Mudryk’s pace, movement and passing was the perfect profile to take advantage and kill off the game.
In minutes he was involved, receiving a pass from Mykola Matvienko he came short, a stylistic approach Mikel Arteta has been very encouraging of his wingers to show, and played a one-touch pass into midfield.
The play progressed and Mudryk found himself centrally. With Mykola Shaparenko in possession, Mudryk darted into the space between the defenders and was lofted the ball from his midfield teammate but ultimately closed down and forced to work it backwards but, importantly, keeping possession.
Five minutes later and Scotland had won a corner. Mudryk waited in the space behind the congested box; his usefulness in the squeeze to win the ball aerially effectively null-and-void.
A headed clearance fell the way of the winger, he spun and was off. Chopping inside the Scottish opponent he used his rival’s weight against him and drove centrally.
Spotting the run of substitute forward Dovbyk and with the outside of his boot, he weighted the perfect pass through to the 25-year-old striker. Were it not for the forward’s lack of composure and ability at that moment, Mudryk might have earned himself the assist of the qualifiers, no exaggeration.
Another five minutes later and sustained Scottish pressure saw Mudryk get his next chance. A loose ball in the left corner of the defensive third saw Mudryk quickest to respond and gain possession.
Exchanging a give-and-go with Shaparenko in midfield, again Mudryk accelerated away from the chasing Scottish defenders. Bringing the ball inside just past the halfway line, Dovbyk made his move and Mudryk fed the forward again, but the No. 11 again lacked the necessary pace and quality to utilise the chance.
Mudryk would then in the 94th-minute escape away on the counter and fellow substitute Oleksandr Zubkov had the chance to feed his soon-to-be Shakhtar teammate but instead opted for a right-side pass to Dovbyk. Not let down by the lack of the obvious opportunity wasted, he continued his run and found himself in space from a cross and an easy goal, only for Dovbyk to fail to control the ball once more and see the chance go begging.
A frustrating game but for those watching closely, Mudryk had made his debut at the international level and made a huge impact. Arsenal were certainly watching and the rest appears history as football.london understands Mudryk remains a target this winter.
Certainly, the game against Scotland allowed Mudryk to play on the counter as Scotland pushed for the goal. His subsequent game against Wales when he came on and Ukraine needed a goal saw a different result but Mudryk has since developed throughout the rest of 2022 into a player that can break down defensive sides.
For January, however, Mudryk’s addition and integration into the team certainly support the idea that he could help Mikel Arteta’s sides in finishing matches. Think back to Southampton after the Gunners took the lead but were unable to kill the game and eventually conceded and dropped points.
Having Mudryk as an option to come off the bench and offer great speed, creativity and goal threat for these remaining months of the season would be perfect. Beyond that, Mudryk can become a much greater asset and compete with the current starters whilst improving under Arteta.
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