Arsenal went top of the Premier League following their 1-0 win at Brentford on Saturday evening.
Kai Havertz was the hero for Mikel Arteta’s Gunners, heading in at the back post in the 89th minute.
Oleksandr Zinchenko, meanwhile, was the hero just 12 minutes earlier, keeping the scores level with an amazing goal-line clearance.
In the 77th minute, Bryan Mbeumo crossed for Neal Maupay at the back post, where he rose above Takehiro Tomiyasu and headed towards the bottom corner.
Although Aaron Ramsdale appeared beaten, Zinchenko was on hand to make a full-stretch clearance to keep the ball out. Brentford went on to fire wide as the danger was averted.
‘Superb goalline block’
“Zinchenko makes up for his error with a superb goalline block,” Sky journalist David Richardson said, as per the Sky Sports website.
“That’s twice now Brentford have been denied by last-ditch clearances.”
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Meanwhile, BBC Sport pundit Steve Sidwell said on Radio 5 Live: “It was Zinchenko there on the line who blocked it.
“Again, Brentford really putting the pressure on Arsenal.
“I think it was Maupay who headed it and Ramsdale was beaten, but Zinchenko did superbly to get there and stop it.”
Key contributions at the back from Arsenal stars
Declan Rice also made a goalline clearance earlier in the match. Both of those were absolutely crucial in what was to follow.
We could be reporting about a disappointing Arsenal defeat and little more than a Kai Havertz consolation goal.
Instead, we’re reporting a Gunners victory and a huge confidence boost for a player who definitely needed it.
And Zinchenko and Rice deserve credit for their huge contributions in helping Arsenal achieve this feat and go top of the Premier League table.