‘You ain’t real’: Declan Rice replies to Arsenal star who completed 75% crosses vs Lyon

Arsenal concluded their pre-season campaign with a 2-0 win over Lyon in the Emirates Cup.

William Saliba opened the scoring in the ninth minute from a Declan Rice corner. Gabriel Magalhaes doubled the lead in the 27th minute from another Rice set-piece.

The 23-year-old was voted as the man of the match. Following the game, Zinchenko praised him in an Instagram post with the caption: “First picture ever in front of Rolls Royce”.

Rice saw the funny side of it. He replied: “You ain’t real.”

Saliba has been a revelation since making his Arsenal debut in 2022. He is one of the first names on the team sheet and will be key to ending the club’s long wait for the league title.

Arsenal start their Premier League campaign against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday and there may not be any changes to the current back four.

Saliba, Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes are nailed-on starters in defence. Zinchenko should be assured his starting berth too on the back of an impressive pre-season.

The 27-year-old was brilliant against Lyon at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday afternoon. He had a passing accuracy of 90 percent, completing 75 percent of his crosses.

Zinchenko also managed five long balls and four key passes. He created one big chance for Bukayo Saka who hit the woodwork.

The Ukrainian caught the eye with his crosses to the back post for Saka. It did not result in a goal, but this is something which they seem to have worked in training.

Arsenal have a tough start to the season on paper and Zinchenko will need to play at his best to keep his starting spot ahead of summer signing Riccardo Calafiori.