The Gunners players clustered around the dressing room TV to watch Real Madrid edge past capital rivals Atletico in a controversial penalty shoot-out to earn a date with Mikel Arteta's side in the quarter-finals.
And Zinchenko, who was a revelation in midfield as rested skipper Martin Odegaard's understudy in the 2-2 phoney war against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night, is relishing Arsenal's tilt at Real's dizzying cast of Galacticos.
Despite reaching the last eight in back-to-back seasons for the first time in 15 years, the Gunners will be heavy underdogs with the second leg taking place in Real’s Santiago Bernabeu fortress.
Zinchenko said: "How can you cheer? It was a mixed feeling because to be honest Atletico have been unlucky with that Julian Alvarez penalty.
"No one said anything. It was just mixed emotions because to play against Real or Atletico, they are both amazing clubs.
"It is going to be an amazing experience for all of us.
"To face one of the best teams in the world, with that much experience and world-class players, is always nice. We are all looking forward to it.
"In this competition, especially at this stage, you cannot be relaxed even for one second because the level and demands from all the teams at this stage is so high.
"If you are relaxed, even for a bit, they can punish you. This is what we should learn from the past.
"We have got this experience already so let's see how it works."
Arteta will have to devise the mother of all game plans to overcome superstars such as Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.
And Zinchenko admitted: "The only thing I can say is to play agains...
And Zinchenko, who was a revelation in midfield as rested skipper Martin Odegaard's understudy in the 2-2 phoney war against PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night, is relishing Arsenal's tilt at Real's dizzying cast of Galacticos.
Despite reaching the last eight in back-to-back seasons for the first time in 15 years, the Gunners will be heavy underdogs with the second leg taking place in Real’s Santiago Bernabeu fortress.
Zinchenko said: "How can you cheer? It was a mixed feeling because to be honest Atletico have been unlucky with that Julian Alvarez penalty.
"No one said anything. It was just mixed emotions because to play against Real or Atletico, they are both amazing clubs.
"It is going to be an amazing experience for all of us.
"To face one of the best teams in the world, with that much experience and world-class players, is always nice. We are all looking forward to it.
"In this competition, especially at this stage, you cannot be relaxed even for one second because the level and demands from all the teams at this stage is so high.
"If you are relaxed, even for a bit, they can punish you. This is what we should learn from the past.
"We have got this experience already so let's see how it works."
Arteta will have to devise the mother of all game plans to overcome superstars such as Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham.
And Zinchenko admitted: "The only thing I can say is to play agains...
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Daily Record (Digital) - 1 Issue, March 14, 2025