Arsenal’s Zinchenko Shows Respect to Former Club PSV with Muted Goal Celebration
Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko refused to celebrate after scoring the opening goal in Arsenal’s Champions League last-16 second-leg match against PSV – sparking debate among football fans.
Mikel Arteta made seven changes to his Arsenal lineup for the PSV clash, bringing in Ben White, Jorginho, Raheem Sterling, Kieran Tierney, Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Zinchenko. The rotation proved effective when the Ukrainian international found the back of the net just six minutes into the North London encounter.
Zinchenko’s powerful strike from outside the box beat goalkeeper Walter Benitez, extending Arsenal’s aggregate lead to 8-1. However, instead of celebrating his first Champions League goal, the 28-year-old defender turned away from the goal and raised his hands in a gesture of respect.
The muted celebration appears to stem from Zinchenko’s connection to PSV, where he spent a season on loan from Manchester City during the 2016/17 campaign. Though his stint in the Eredivisie was brief – featuring in just 12 matches – it clearly left a lasting impression on the player.
Fan Reactions: Respect or “Game’s Gone”?
The incident quickly sparked debate on social media, with fans divided in their opinions:
- “Zinchenko refusing to celebrate against a club he played 12 league games for aged 19. Game’s gone,” wrote one critic.
- “Zinchenko not celebrating is one thing but apologising to away fans wtf. Where’s my game gone?” questioned another.
- Others supported his gesture, with one fan simply commenting, “Class act.”
Many questioned whether a brief loan spell from eight years ago warranted such restraint, especially for what was Zinchenko’s first Champions League goal. However, the player’s own words about his time in Eindhoven suggest the connection runs deeper than his statistics might indicate.
Speaking in 2023 about his PSV experience, Zinchenko revealed: “That was amazing experience for me. A very important year in terms of my career. Even if you look at it on paper, I didn’t play much or I didn’t get what I really wanted before I joined PSV but honestly, I wouldn’t have traded this experience for anything else.”
He added, “I used to come here a couple of times for holidays, because I have a few friends here as well. And for such a young player, like I was at that time, it’s an amazing place. Always a full stadium, the fans, they always love football.”
The defender’s gesture highlights the personal connections footballers develop with clubs throughout their careers, even during brief stints. While Zinchenko has built his reputation primarily at Manchester City and now Arsenal, his time at PSV clearly holds personal significance beyond what appears in the record books.
For Arsenal fans, the goal helped secure their progression in Europe’s elite competition, regardless of celebration. The Gunners continue their Champions League journey with Zinchenko playing a key role in Arteta’s squad rotation strategy as they balance European ambitions with their Premier League title challenge.
What do you think about players refusing to celebrate against former clubs? Is it a respectful tradition or an unnecessary gesture? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!