Oleksandr Zinchenko gets emotional as Arsenal mark anniversary of Ukraine conflict by giving defender captaincy

Oleksandr Zinchenko is captaining Arsenal against Leicester as a 'mark of respect' for the first anniversary of the Ukraine conflict.

The Ukrainian international is yet to lead the side out onto the pitch since he joined from Manchester City in the summer.

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However, a year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the 26-year-old will captain the side away at the Foxes instead of Granit Xhaka.

When Arsenal's team news was revealed, the club said: "Alex Zinchenko is our captain today, as a mark of respect and love on the first anniversary of the conflict in Ukraine."

Zinchenko appeared to get emotional as he led the Gunners out against the Foxes.

Following their 4-2 win over Aston Villa last weekend, Mikel Arteta has decided to start Eddie Nketiah on the bench.

Gabriel Martinelli has replaced him up front after his goal last Saturday, the only change made to the side.

However, the Gunners have welcomed the return of Thomas Partey to the squad following his thigh injury.

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He was absent for their 3-1 defeat against City and the win against Villa whilst he recovered on the sidelines.

Both Nketiah and Partey came off the bench in the later stages of the match.

Leandro Trossard had an excellent strike ruled out by VAR following Ben White's foul on Danny Ward.

However, Gabriel Martinelli scored early in the second half to give his side a deserved lead.

You can follow the action from Arsenal's trip to Leicester on the talkSPORT live blog.