Vitalii Mykolenko has been praised for his performance against Bukayo Saka in Everton's goalless draw at Arsenal
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Vitalii Mykloenko challenges Bukayo Saka during the match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium on December 14, 2024
Vitalii Mykloenko challenges Bukayo Saka during the match between Arsenal and Everton at the Emirates Stadium on December 14, 2024
(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Vitalii Mykolenko has been hailed as “brave” for his heroic display shackling Bukayo Saka in Everton’s goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium. Saka is the danger man in Mikel Arteta’s side and before kick-off received his third club player of the month award out of four so far this term.
However, another former Arsenal and England player, Matthew Upson was impressed with how the Blues left-back shackled him as Sean Dyche’s men kept the hosts at bay in the stalemate.
Although Saka remained a significant threat throughout, and brought the best out of his Three Lions international team-mate Jordan Pickford early in the second half when the Everton goalkeeper had to get down well to his left to turn a shot around the post, Mykolenko stuck manfully to his task marking him with a dogged defensive display from the Ukrainian also featuring a clearance off the line and smart tackle on substitute Thomas Partey late on, which went to a VAR potential penalty review, only to be deemed a fair challenge.
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Goodison News quote Upson as telling beIN Sports: “It’s great pressure, I have to say – his distance to Saka – he’s not giving him an inch, Mykolenko. He may have made a foul there, but his starting position’s so brave, he’s right out (on the wing) with him.”