Oleksandr Zinchenko has sent a message to Manchester City on social media after his first game back at the Etihad on Friday night.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 05, 2022. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 05, 2022. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Amid heavy rotation on Friday night, Oleksandr Zinchenko didn’t start Arsenal’s FA Cup tie away to Manchester City, but he did come on for the last 24 minutes of the game.

That was a significant moment for the player, who was making his first appearance against City after six years with the club.

The home fans welcomed him back warmly, whilst the away fans serenaded their summer signing as well.

Zinchenko couldn’t help Arsenal to turn around the 1-0 deficit they’d suffered just before he came on, and he posted his disappointment on Instagram after the game – before thanking City for the welcome back.

“Not the result what we came for but we will bounce back,” Zinchenko said.

“There are no old friends – there are friends with whom there are many good memories and you will always be glad to see each of them. There is no past home – there is a place where you were very happy, and now you are happy to return.

“Thank you, Etihad for the warm welcome! See you soon at Emirates, I hope you will have fun! 😉”

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 27: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, is held back by Albert Stuivenberg, Assistant Manager of Arsenal, as they speak with the fourth official during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on January 27, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, is held back by Albert Stuivenberg, Assistant Manager of Arsenal, as they speak with the fourth official during the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Etihad Stadium on January 27, 2023. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

In general, the cup tie was very encouraging for Arsenal. Even though City narrowly got the better of their title rivals, they had to name a much stronger side to do so.

Away from home, with over half of Mikel Arteta’s usual team rested, up against an almost-full-strength City side, the game was a lot more even than you might have expected.

If Arsenal play in a similar fashion with their first-choice lineup, they’ll have a great chance at getting a result or two in the two league games against City.

If they manage that, with the lead they already have over Pep Guardiola’s side, winning the title starts to look like a real possibility.