Oleksandr Zinchenko has explained why he missed Arsenal’s friendly against Lyon last week and sent a message to injured team-mate Gabriel Jesus.
Arsenal are currently in Dubai for a warm weather training camp ahead of the return of the Premier League later this month.
Mikel Arteta’s side, who are five points clear at the top of the Premier League, beat Lyon 3-0 on Thursday but Ukraine international Zinchenko did not feature.
While the 25-year-old has impressed for Arsenal since his £30m move from Manchester City last summer, injuries have been an issue for the left-back, although he has reassured fans he is almost fit and ready to play again.
‘You know, I have a little muscle tightness, but I’m nearly there, so don’t worry about this,’ Zinchenko told Sky Sports. ‘Obviously I’m also working hard to get my fitness back and to be with the team as quickly as I can.
‘It’s the worst feeling to be fair… for every footballer to be out of the team. And yeah, in the last couple of months, I was struggling a lot but I hope everything is in the past already. And now, I’m fully focused and so excited for the rest of the season.’
Arsenal could be without star striker Jesus for up to three months after he injured his knee in Brazil’s last group game at the World Cup.
The 25-year-old had surgery on his right knee earlier in the month and Zinchenko says the Arsenal players will rally around him during his rehabilitation.
‘I said already that we are all behind him,’ Zinchenko added. ‘We are all supporting him.
‘Of course it’s a big miss for our team, and the impact what he’s doing for the club is amazing. I know him for a while – he’s a big warrior and I’m 100% sure that he’ll be back much, much stronger.’
Arsenal face Serie A clubs AC Milan and Juventus in Dubai before returning to London and resuming their Premier League campaign on December 26 against West Ham.
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