Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko was involved in plenty of action during the 2-2 draw against Sporting CP in the Europa League round of 16 first-leg on Thursday night. Shortly after William Saliba opened the scoring for the Gunners, Zinchenko was spotted squaring up to a number of Sporting players as the referee had to intervene.
As Fabio Vieira delivered a pinpoint corner kick to Saliba, the Ukraine international appeared to hold one of Sporting's players before they both went to ground. The Portuguese outfit protested and felt that the goal should have been disallowed.
Saliba's goal was allowed to stand but both Zinchenko and Sporting star Sebastian Coates received yellow cards following the brief coming together, with Coates now suspended for the second-leg at the Emirates Stadium next week. Mikel Arteta will hope that he is able to call upon the likes of Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard for the return leg in north London after the four stars missed the clash on Thursday night through illness and injury.
READ MORE: Arsenal player ratings vs Sporting CP as Saliba and Vieira good, Kiwior mixed debut
Arsenal fans have now spotted what Zinchenko did to the Sporting defender who felt he had been fouled in the Gunners' opening goal as Saliba and his teammates celebrated. The Ukrainian defender was seen sarcastically clapping his opponent, who fell to the floor appealing for a foul.
Sporting eventually took a 2-1 lead with Matt Turner and Jakub Kiwior being criticised for their roles in both goals, with Arteta admitting his team need to stop conceding 'simple goals'. There were plenty of positives to take from the game ahead of the second-leg as Gabriel Martinelli continued his brilliant form despite not getting on the scoresheet on this occasion.
Arteta is likely to have an even stronger squad to select from ahead of next week's clash as Arsenal look to book their place in the last eight of the Europa League, whilst challenging for the Premier League title heading into a crucial run of fixtures.
READ NEXT:
Jesus, Odegaard, Trossard, Tierney: Arsenal injury news and return dates ahead of Fulham clash
Vieira’s uphill test, Zinchenko’s kryptonite - Arsenal winners and losers from Sporting CP draw
Arsenal player ratings vs Sporting CP as Saliba and Vieira good, Kiwior mixed debut
What Mikel Arteta shouted at Ben White as Fabio Vieira Arsenal prediction close to coming true
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
