‘He’s Just Not Concentrating’ – Oleksandr Zinchenko Says as he Names the Player Who is always getting Fined at Arsenal

Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko recently revealed that William Saliba, Arsenal’s talented French center-back, is fined the most at the club. According to Zinchenko, Saliba’s fines come down to a surprising reason: he sometimes loses focus during training.

Zinchenko joined Arsenal in 2022 from Manchester City and, while being used mainly as a substitute this season, has had a chance to observe the club’s daily routines and training atmosphere under Mikel Arteta. In an interview with Pro: Direct Soccer posted on November 13, the Ukrainian shared that Saliba’s fines aren’t due to lateness or rule-breaking. Instead, they stem from what he calls a “lack of concentration” during practices.

Here’s a bit of how the interview went:

Interviewer: “Who gets fined the most?”

Zinchenko: “Saliba.”

Interviewer: “Why? Is it because of lateness or something else?”

Zinchenko: “He’s just not concentrating.”

Since taking over as Arsenal’s manager in December 2019, Mikel Arteta has earned a reputation as a strict and disciplined coach. Over the years, Arteta has shown that he’s not afraid to take action or fine players for breaking team rules. This discipline-first approach has helped Arteta guide Arsenal to one FA Cup title and two English Super Cups so far.

Saliba joined Arsenal from French club Saint-Etienne in 2019 for a reported fee of €30 million. Though he may sometimes lose focus in training, he’s been a standout performer for Arsenal and has established himself as one of the top defenders in the Premier League. His growth and reliability on the field have made him a key part of Arteta’s plans.

Off the field, Saliba is also one of Arsenal’s highest-paid players, reportedly earning £190,000 per week. Despite his occasional fines, Saliba remains committed to Arsenal’s goals and continues to be a crucial player in their defensive lineup.

According to reports, these fines often have a positive outcome for the team. The funds collected go toward organizing the team’s annual Christmas party or are used in raffles for the club’s staff members, helping to build a sense of community and giving back to the Arsenal team behind the scenes.

In the end, while Saliba might be the most fined player due to his lack of focus at times, his skills and dedication on matchdays keep him highly valued by Arteta and Arsenal’s fans alike.