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Arsenal star Zinchenko reveals he nearly lost his leg and was rushed into emergency surgery after ‘cage fight’

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Arsenal star Zinchenko reveals he nearly lost his leg and was rushed into emergency surgery after 'cage fight'

OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO came close to having his leg AMPUTATED as a teenager due to frostbite.

The Arsenal full-back, 27, made his name at Manchester City from 2016 to 2022, winning four Prem titles, four Carabao Cups and one FA Cup.

Oleksandr Zinchenko almost lost his leg due to frostbite

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Oleksandr Zinchenko almost lost his leg due to frostbiteCredit: Getty

He has also gone on to captain Ukraine at major tournaments and recently helped the Gunners become top-flight title challengers once more under Mikel Arteta.

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But at the age of 17, his entire life could have changed thanks to a dry ice incident that left the defender with a gangrenous foot and moments away from amputation.

It came about following a call from German club Hoffenheim to attend a trial, having been frozen out of the Shakhtar Donetsk academy and trying to reignite his career while taking part in the Russian street leagues.

He explained: “The day before I was due to fly [to Germany], FC Meteor, one of the non-league clubs I played for, called me. They had a big game and wanted me to fill in.

“These leagues were a bit rogue, sometimes more like a cage fight. Some opponent did a crazy tackle on me and caught my right ankle. It swelled up like a balloon.

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“There was no way I could play the next day in Germany. Just walking was causing me pain. I was in no state to do a trial. But I couldn’t cancel and lose this life-changing opportunity.

“We decided I would go anyway and ask them to let me train a couple of days later, by which time the swelling would have hopefully gone down.

“I was on the plane with Lufthansa and I remember thinking: ‘Let’s not waste time to get the swelling down. Let’s use the flight.’ So, I asked the stewardess for some ice for my ankle.

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“She didn’t understand me at first because my English wasn’t great and I didn’t speak any German. But she came over with what looked like ice in a plastic package.

“I wrapped it up, put it on my ankle and went to sleep. Problem solved. An hour or so later, I woke up and expected to see a bag full of melted water. But there was none.

Mystery as Kai Havertz denied chance to make Arsenal history but Mikel Arteta has no idea why it happened

“Then I looked at my ankle. All the skin had turned white. I put my sock back on

and, within around 20 minutes, as it warmed up, it started to blister.

“When we arrived in Frankfurt, an associate of my agent was waiting. ‘I have a little problem,’ I told him. I think I gave him the shock of his life when I showed him my ankle.

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“We drove to the Hoffenheim academy, taken immediately to a physio, who pulled down my sock and turned nearly as white as the skin on my ankle when he saw it.

“His reaction told me this was bad. ‘We’re taking you to hospital, right now.’ I was rushed into an operating theatre and surgery commenced immediately.

“They were removing gangrenous tissue. If that had spread, it could have affected the whole foot, requiring it all to be removed. The reason? I had frostbite.

“It turned out that when the air stewardess gave me ice, it was dry ice, which is three times colder than normal ice, exposing my bare ankle to Arctic-like temperatures.

“The German doctor looked at me gravely. ‘You are fortunate. You came at the right time. Any later, and you might have lost your leg.’

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“Only then did I realise quite how close my dreams had come to ending and my life changing utterly.”

After his near-death experience and a spell in the Russian Premier League, Zinchenko spent six seasons at City before joining Arsenal in the summer of 2022 for £35m.

However, Zinchenko has also revealed he could have played for the North Londoners much sooner with Arsene Wenger keeping tabs on his situation back in 2014 following a Youth Champions League clash between Arsenal and Shakhtar.

Zinchenko said: “I got a call from an agent who said: ‘Alex, I have a very good connection with Arsene Wenger. He called me after your game. He really wants to see you in the club.

“I was speechless; my jaw was on the floor. When I gathered my thoughts after a few seconds, I said: ‘This is probably a joke. Someone is having a laugh here.’

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“For one reason or another, it never happened. I had sort of forgotten about this whole thing until Wenger came to the Emirates in December 2022 to watch us beat West Ham 3-1.

“I shook his hand. I had never met him in person before… ‘Mister, eight years ago, I played for Shakhtar Donetsk in a Youth League game against Arsenal…’ I said, cautiously.

“He interrupted me. ‘Yes, it was at Boreham Wood. Arsenal won 3-1. And after 20 minutes, I pointed at you and said: “I need this guy.”‘ It was all true. Incredible.

“I sometimes imagine what would have happened if I had joined the first team as a 17-year-old.”

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Oleksandr Zinchenko joined Manchester City back in 2016

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Oleksandr Zinchenko joined Manchester City back in 2016Credit: AFP or licensors

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Ben Thomas: Utility back admits Cardiff flak after Gatland praise

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October 24, 2024

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Ben Thomas: Utility back admits Cardiff flak after Gatland praise

Gatland now faces a conundrum as to where he plays “the best back in Wales”.

Thomas has played 12 in each of Cardiff’s five URC outings so far this season, but faces stiff competition from Eddie James, Max Llewellyn, Owen Watkin and Nick Tompkins for the Wales shirt.

Thomas said he is aware of conversations between Cardiff head coach Matt Sherratt and Gatland over his positioning.

“I think generally speaking both sets of coaches have been pretty relaxed on where I’m playing week to week as there are those transferrable skills between both positions,” he said.

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“It’s definitely a conversation that I’m aware of, thus far it’s gone pretty smoothly.”

Thomas said he is also happy to step up to the tee, for club or country, should he be needed as a goal kicker, having put in plenty of mid-week practice.

“Gats is pretty good in not putting too much expectation on the kicking, he knew that it was not something I was doing every week,” he said.

“It’s trying to get as much composure as possible when you’re in the heat of battle and just focussing on each kick as a separate part of the game.”

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Champions League LIVE RESULTS: Haaland scores OUTRAGEOUS goal in win, Nunez scores Reds winner, Barca THRASH Bayern

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October 24, 2024

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Champions League LIVE RESULTS: Haaland scores OUTRAGEOUS goal in win, Nunez scores Reds winner, Barca THRASH Bayern

Matchday three comes to an end

That’s all from us at the end of another thrilling night of Champions League football.

We’ve seen Barca batter Bayern, Haaland stun Sparta, and Liverpool triumph again.

Elsewhere, Celtic held firm in Bergamo, Lille toppled another Madrid giant, and Inter left it late to hurt Young Boys.

Then there was teenager Milambo shining at the Estadio da Luz, Brest and Bayer remaining unbeaten, and Salzburg going down against Dinamo.

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And breathe. Follow all that, Europa League. We’ll be back here tomorrow to see if it can.

Thanks for joining us, and goodnight.

The bottom 12

Before we sign off for the night, here’s how the bottom 12 stand in the League Phase, the sides that are contemplating elimination.

Indeed, the bottom six are yet to register a point, and they include both Red Bull clubs (and Red Star).

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Credit: Uefa.com

Slot’s Reds keep on rolling

Another game, another win for Liverpool. Who said following Jurgen Klopp would be the hardest of tasks?

In the process, Arne Slot has become the first manager to win as many as 11 of his first 12 games in charge across all competitions in English top-flight history.

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Erling Haaland goal: Man City forward hailed after acrobatic goal in Champions League win over Sparta Prague

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October 24, 2024

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Erling Haaland goal: Man City forward hailed after acrobatic goal in Champions League win over Sparta Prague

Words hardly do justice to the athleticism and quality required to produce the finish Haaland achieved, and even his team-mates were in awe.

In his pitch-side interview after the game, Foden told TNT Sports: “I just spoke to him and said: ‘If I tried to do that I’d pull by groin!’

“I don’t know how he does it. It shows he has this talent that no-one else can do.”

The strike was reminiscent of one Haaland scored against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League two years ago.

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But that, as brilliant as it was, was a volley scored when he was facing towards the net. His goal against Sparta Prague on Wednesday was as he was facing the wrong direction, but somehow managed to twist and produce enough power with his backheel volley to score.

“It was an amazing goal,” Nunes said. “I was speechless after that shot.

“When he scored against Dortmund I was watching on TV. To see this live was amazing.”

Former Manchester City defender Joleon Lescott said on TNT Sports: “It was a unique finish.

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“It is not a finish many strikers would attempt or even execute. It is unique to him and his athleticism.”

Ex-Manchester City defender and England captain Steph Houghton said on Match of the Day: “That finish was something else.

“He is the only striker in the world who can score from those positions.”

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Can Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears OVERCOME Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders? | NFL on FOX Pod

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October 24, 2024

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Can Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears OVERCOME Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders?



Video Details

Dave Helman sits down to preview the game between the Washington Commanders and the Chicago Bears! Within the discussion, Helman discusses both Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels. Helman also questions where Daniels will be able to play this weekend.

50 MINS AGO・the nfl on fox podcast・6:25



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Man City player ratings: Even Pep Guardiola can’t believe how good Erling Haaland is as new Samba man fails to shine

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October 24, 2024

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Man City player ratings: Even Pep Guardiola can't believe how good Erling Haaland is as new Samba man fails to shine

MANCHESTER CITY put in a five star performance as they romped to victory over Sparta Prague.

The Citizens ran out 5-0 winners at the Etihad with Pep Guardiola‘s side bagging four goals in the second half.

Phil Foden and John Stones both scored against Sparta Prague

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Phil Foden and John Stones both scored against Sparta PragueCredit: Getty
Erling Haaland scored a brilliant improvised goal

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Erling Haaland scored a brilliant improvised goalCredit: Getty

Phil Foden gave the hosts the perfect start as he fired in the opener inside just three minutes.

Erling Haaland also got himself on the scoresheet in the second half.

The Norweigian striker had plenty of attempts to score, but it was his improvised finish in the 58th minute that found its way past Peter Vindahl Jensen.

John Stones made it three with a brilliant looping header to add to his solid performance at the back.

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Haaland got his second in the 67th minute to make it 44 in the Champions League.

Matheus Nunes was also impressed as he netted from the spot in the closing stages, which added to his two assists.

SunSport’s Ken Lawrence has given his ratings of Pep Guardiola’s side…

Stefan Ortega – 5

 Almost a spectator, but at least it wasn’t cold or pouring down.

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Nathan Ake – 5

Back after injury and unlucky to have City’s second chalked off.

Manuel Akanji – 5

Training games against his own team-mates are far harder than this was.

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Furious former Champions League finalists’ fans protest against club owner

John Stones – 7

Followed his winner against Wolves with another towering header.

Rico Lewis – 6

The young multi-tasker produced a typical all-action display

Matheus Nunes – 7

Matheus Nunes set up two of City's goals and netted from the spot

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Matheus Nunes set up two of City’s goals and netted from the spotCredit: Getty

He claimed two assists and bagged his first-ever Champions League goal from the spot late on.

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Savinho – 5

Supposed to be the new Samba man but didn’t dance that great.

Ilkay Gundogan – 7

The midfielder cruised through the 100th Champions League game of his career.

Bernardo Silva – 6

Quiet, effective and a non-stop cog spinning the City wheel.

Phil Foden – 7

It was a slick early finish in only his fourth start of the season, but the spark faded.

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Erling Haaland – 9

Even Pep Guardiola couldn’t quite believe his amazing airborne strike before he added his second.

The striker reached 44 in the Champions League

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The striker reached 44 in the Champions LeagueCredit: Reuters

Subs

Mateo Kovacic (for Bernardo Silva 69) – 5

Couldn’t have had an easier task by the time he emerged.

James McAtee (for Gundogan 69) – 5

A few minutes of Champions League experience with no strain.

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Josko Gvardiol (for Ake 74) – 5

Just a pleasant walk in the park….

Ruben Dias (for Stones 74) – 5

He won’t have minded stretching his legs for a bit.

Nico O’Reilly (for Haaland 81) – 5

The young attacker replaced a living legend.

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Champions League MOTD analysis: How Marc Casadó, Pedri and Fermín López led Barcelona to victory against Bayern Munich

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October 24, 2024

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Champions League MOTD analysis: How Marc Casadó, Pedri and Fermín López led Barcelona to victory against Bayern Munich

Watch Match of the Day analysis of how Barcelona’s trio of 21-year-old midfielders – Marc Casadó, Pedri and Fermín López – inspired the five-time winners to a fantastic 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich.

WATCH MORE: Raphinha hits hat-trick as Barcelona demolish Bayern

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