FA CHIEFS “warned” Oleksandr Zinchenko for over-celebrating… when the Arsenal hero was out injured!
The summer signing leapt from the bench to join team-mates rejoicing Gabriel’s late comeback winner at home to Fulham in August.
The FA re[ortedly wrote to tell Oleksandr Zinchenko he had gone too far when rejoicing over Gabriel’s late winner at home to Fulham in AugustGetty
Left-back Zinchenko has become an instant fans’ favourite with his passionGetty
And The Telegraph say the FA sent him a letter telling him he could be considered a “pitch invader” as he was not in the match-day squad.
The Ukraine left-back has become an instant favourite with fans of the Premier League leaders after moving from champions Manchester City.
And although he was unfit at the time, he leapt from the sidelines to roar his delight when Gabriel smashed home from a corner to seal a 2-1 victory over the Cottagers.
Zinchenko ran down the touchline to share celebrations with Arsenal players by the corner flag.
And he gestured to fans with his hands to urge them to help see the Gunners home in the dying minutes.
His joy was amplified by sharing Gabriel’s relief – as the Brazilian centre-back had been devastated when he blundered to gift Fulham’s opener to Aleksandar Mitrovic.
But Martin Odegaard fired a deflected equaliser and Gabriel was mobbed by team-mates after he pounced for the clincher.
Zinchenko has since put his injury niggles well behind him to emerge as an outstanding success for Mikel Arteta’s exciting side.
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Ahead of Sunday’s trip to fifth-placed neighbours Tottenham, the Gunners sit five points clear of his old club City at the top.
And Zinchenko has managed to restrain his enthusiasm in the last five months despite revelling in Arsenal’s amazing run.