On Friday, Oleksandr Zinchenko helped Ukraine beat Slovakia and get their first three points in Euro 2024. He came through when they needed him the most.

Coming into the game, Ukraine was under a lot of stress after Romania shocked everyone by beating them 3-0 in their first game. When Slovakia took the lead 17 minutes in, things got even worse.

A cross into the box seemed to catch Zinchenko completely off guard, and the Arsenal back was not at all ready for Ivan Schranz to jump and nod home to give Slovakia the lead.

In the first half, Ukraine had trouble keeping the ball, but they were getting better at the game, and that continued in the second half, when key players like Zinchenko came out feeling refreshed.

Nine minutes after the game started again, Zinchenko made up for his mistake by crossing the ball perfectly for Mykola Shaparenko. Shaparenko scored the goal that tied the game and calmed down the Ukraine fans.

For the rest of the game, Zinchenko was at his best, controlling the ball and contributing at both ends of the pitch. Roman Yaremchuk scored a late goal to repay his hard work.

It’s not clear what will happen with Zinchenko at Arsenal because boss Mikel Arteta is thought to want a new left back this summer.

The 27-year-old started the season as Arsenal’s starting left back, but he lost his spot after getting hurt in February and could only play a few times as the Gunners pushed for the Premier League title.

Arteta would have rather used right back Takehiro Tomiyasu instead, and Zinchenko, whose deal at the Emirates Stadium ends in two years, is thought to be in line for a sale.