![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/oleksandr-zinchenko-steps-up-return-by-playing-in-game-4-ukraine-after-arsenal-permission/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0_GettyImages-1594395704.jpg&description=Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko featured briefly in the Game 4 Ukraine charity match, having been out of action since March with a calf issue Oleksandr Zinchenko stepped up his return from a calf injury ahead of the news as he played in the Game 4 Ukraine charity match at Stamford Bridge. Zinchenko helped organise the fixture with Andriy Shevchenko to raise funds to help rebuild Ukraine's facilities and infrastructure damaged by Russia's ongoing invasion. Arsenal originally stated that Zinchenko would only 'be involved in a non-playing capacity' due to his injury, having missed their final three Premier League games last season with a calf issue. The 26-year-old has also not featured at all during pre-season for the Gunners, but now appears to be on the verge of a return after playing the first 11 minutes of the Game 4 Ukraine. Zinchenko captained his team, having been given permission to play by Arsenal a day before the Community Shield. Mikel Arteta's side are set to face Manchester City in the traditional curtain raiser on Sunday, but it is unclear whether Zinchenko will feature having not played a competitive match since March. "He's close," Arteta said when asked about Zinchenko following Arsenal's final pre-season game against Monaco on Wednesday. "I think he's going to start training with the team and hopefully we will have him back very soon." And Zinchenko himself gave a promising update on his return on Friday, telling club media : "It is getting better now. Obviously I have a little bit of time to feel completely better in terms of my injury that I received before. "The target at the moment is just to get as fit as possible as soon as I can, and then of course to stay fit throughout the season, which is most important. That's my target. It's always tough when you can't play, but it was nice to be all together [for pre-season] and to prepare ourselves in the best way for the next season. "We spent some good time together as a group, which will really help){kind=link}
Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko featured briefly in the Game 4 Ukraine charity match, having been out of action since March with a calf issue
Oleksandr Zinchenko stepped up his return from a calf injury ahead of the news as he played in the Game 4 Ukraine charity match at Stamford Bridge.
Zinchenko helped organise the fixture with Andriy Shevchenko to raise funds to help rebuild Ukraine’s facilities and infrastructure damaged by Russia’s ongoing invasion. Arsenal originally stated that Zinchenko would only ‘be involved in a non-playing capacity’ due to his injury, having missed their final three Premier League games last season with a calf issue.
The 26-year-old has also not featured at all during pre-season for the Gunners, but now appears to be on the verge of a return after playing the first 11 minutes of the Game 4 Ukraine. Zinchenko captained his team, having been given permission to play by Arsenal a day before the Community Shield.
Mikel Arteta’s side are set to face Manchester City in the traditional curtain raiser on Sunday, but it is unclear whether Zinchenko will feature having not played a competitive match since March.