Zinchenko Opens Up on Heartbreaking Moment With Family That Left Him ‘Ashamed’

Oleksandr Zinchenko Opens Up on Emotional Arsenal Bench Moment That Left Him Feeling Ashamed

Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko has revealed an emotional moment with his wife and daughters that left him feeling deeply ashamed during what he describes as the “worst season” of his professional career.

The Ukraine international has opened up in the updated edition of his autobiography Believe, offering a raw glimpse into the mental and emotional struggles he faced in the 2024/25 campaign.

Zinchenko admits that his lack of playing time, which included only five starts in the Premier League, had a negative impact on his confidence and family life.

A Painful Moment at the Emirates

The most difficult moment came on a matchday at the Emirates when his wife, Vlada, brought their two daughters to watch the game.

Zinchenko, however, was not in the starting lineup. As the players took to the pitch, his eldest daughter Eva, then three and a half years old, pointed and said:

“Look, there’s Daddy.”

But when his younger daughter Leia couldn’t see him playing, Eva corrected herself:

“No, he’s not playing. He’s on the bench.”

That simple exchange, Zinchenko says, cut deep. “It made me feel ashamed,” he wrote.

Zinchenko admits that he didn’t do enough on the pitch to earn more minutes, taking full responsibility for his reduced role. But the emotional strain was significant.

He remarked, “A player who does not play is nothing,” explaining how he felt “unwanted” despite receiving a large salary to play for one of the top teams in England.

The disappointment extended beyond Zinchenko himself. He revealed that his wife, Vlada, often hid her own feelings in an attempt to protect him, though “every once in a while, the mask slips.” The emotional weight of his struggles inevitably affected the entire household, especially on days when his children saw him without his boots on.

Determined to Bounce Back

Although there are rumors that Zinchenko may leave Arsenal, he is adamant about fighting for his spot because Borussia Dortmund and a Premier League team are reportedly monitoring his situation.

Manager Mikel Arteta is said to value his leadership and professionalism in the dressing room, even when he’s not starting.

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