21 October 2023 , 20:08
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Chelsea star Mykhaylo Mudryk brushed off a foul warning from Oleksandr Zinchenko in the process of scoring his freak goal against Arsenal.
The Ukrainian winger netted just his second Premier League strike in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with the Gunners at Stamford Bridge. It appeared that Mudryk had attempted to cross the ball, only for his misguided centre to sail over David Raya and into the net.
It signalled his first goal at Stamford Bridge since a big-money switch from Shakhtar Donetsk. Ahead of the landmark strike, he had received a warning from international teammate Zinchenko. Speaking after Mudryk had found the net on duty with his national team, the former Manchester City star said: "I told him, 'If you do or attempt to do that on Saturday, I'll rip your balls off’.”
He continued: “But now we all have to switch to clubs and on Saturday I already have a very important game in London waiting for me, so Mykhaylo, I'm telling you once again."
Mudryk looked as though he would be having the last laugh as Zinchenko was hauled off by Mikel Arteta at the break after picking up a booking. He was replaced by Takehiro Tomiyasu.
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Mudryk scored midway through the second-half to add to Cole Palmer’s opener from the penalty spot. The former Manchester City man weighed in on whether his teammate’s goal was intentional. He said: "He might have meant it - I don't know. If he meant it, fair play to him."
Oleksandr Zinchenko fired his teammate Mykhaylo Mudryk a warning before his goal (Getty Images)Who was the man-of-the-match in Arsenal's draw vs Chelsea? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Mudryk’s delight would be shortlived as Arsenal staged a heroic comeback in West London. Former Chelsea trainee Declan Rice halved the deficit as he profited from a Robert Sanchez error.
The Gunners then levelled matters late on through Belgian wideman Leandro Trossard. It leaves Arsenal sitting second in the Premier League table behind reigning champions Manchester City.
Chelsea in the meantime are in tenth. Mudryk will be aiming to make it goals in back-to-back games for the first time in his Premier League career next weekend.
Mauricio Pochettino's side take on Brentford at Stamford Bridge. Speaking about Mudryk’s performance, the Argentine said: “He played good, he still needs to improve, he is still not for me at his best."
He eventually decided to substitute Mudryk and explained why in his post-match press conference. “We needed to change, with more pressure with Nico Jackson up front,” Pochettino added. “The game was closer to 3-0 than 2-1. We wanted to pressure and not say 2-0 and protect the result.”