Arsenal loanee’s debut doesn’t go to plan amid shock cup exit | OneFootball

Oleksandr Zinchenko made his debut for Nottingham Forest in what was an exciting League Cup tie on Wednesday night, but perhaps not for the reasons he would have hoped.

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Arsenal loanee Oleksandr Zinchenko was ineligible for Nottingham Forest against his parent club at the weekend, meaning Wednesday night’s League Cup tie against Swansea City offered him his first opportunity to play for his new team.

Ange Postecoglou selected the Ukraine international as part of his starting lineup, and everything initially appeared to be going well for the debutant.

Igor Jesus gave Forest a 2-0 lead in the first half, with a big help from former Gunner Omari Hutchinson. Hutchinson’s cross was deflected to Jesus for the first goal, and he then got an official assist for the second.

Oleksander Zinchenko via Nottingham Forest

Forest appeared to be cruising into the next round at half-time, but that didn’t last. Cameron Burgess scored a headed goal for 2-1 in the 68th minute, before Zan Vipotnik poked home a close-range finish for 2-2 in the third minute of injury time.

Just as it looked the match might be going to penalties, Burgess scored his second of the game in the 97th minute to send Swansea City into Round Four.

Zinchenko played the full match as his team fell apart, though he wasn’t to blame for any of the goals Forest conceded.

Even so, the Arsenal loanee will perhaps be disappointed he didn’t have more of an impact on the game, failing to create any chances and only making one tackle. He did have one shot, but it was off target.

Oleksander Zinchenko via Nottingham Forest

It was only Zinchenko’s debut, and Forest evidently weren’t at their best using a rotated side. But the Ukraine international will be hoping for more when he gets his next opportunity.

Forest play Burnley away in the Premier League on Saturday, before facing Real Betis in the first match of their Europa League campaign next Wednesday.

But Zinchenko hasn’t been included in Forest’s Europa League squad, so his only chance at minutes this week will be the Premier League encounter.