Oleksandr Zinchenko would 'go and fight' for Ukraine if called up after new law passed

Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko has bravely pledged his readiness to temporarily pause his footballing career in Britain in order to defend his motherland, Ukraine.

After new legislation was passed, the committed Gunner revealed his willingness to join his old schoolmates on the Ukrainian frontline. Facing up to the grim realities of the ongoing conflict now three years in, Zinchenko stated: «I think it's a clear answer. I would go (to fight.)»

The stalwart defender opened up about the strain of seeing childhood friends being forced to defend their homeland, recalling days spent playing football at school.

The Arsenal star admitted: «It's tough to understand that just recently we've been in the same school, we were playing in the playground or on the football pitch, and now they have to defend our country. And honestly, it's so hard to accept this, but it is what it is. We cannot give up.»

His earnest confession came during a deep-dive BBC interview amidst declarations from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that another half a million soldiers must be mobilised for war efforts.

Zinchenko, who made a generous donation of £1million towards his country's war effort following the Russian incursion in 2022, transferred to the Gunners in a £30million move from Manchester City the same year, having started off his impressive career with Russian side Ufa as a teenager back in 2015. He gave six solid years to Man City before making a switch to north London, joining the Citizens in his teens.

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He cut ties with his Russian former teammates,