Was Metalist offer a surprise for you?

I wouldn’t say so. My agent was carrying out all the talks, but I know that Metalist was watching me closely for two-three months. Most likely, they started paying attention to me after the goal that was scored against Kharkiv in the last match of the last season (we played a 2:2 away game).

Nevertheless, you were loaned to Arsenal during the summer break.

Yes, regardless of scoring and making an assist coming off from the bench in the game against Metalist. I don’t even know what else I was supposed to do to leave a good impression.

Did you have a conversation with Yuriy Syomin or Ihor Surkis back then?

Yuriy Pavlovych said that I had slim chances of getting significant playing time, so it was better to play with Arsenal.

A year and a half ago you were one of the best on the pitch when Dynamo second team has beaten Shakhtar starters in the Supercup game.

Surprisingly, none of us was included in the first team training. It was not clear for us and was not pleasant.

Nevertheless, you played well in the Channel One Cup last winter as a member of the first team.

I had a good game against Crvena Zvezda. After that game the attitude towards me has changed. Semin and general manager Chohonelidze were talking about possibility of a chance of joining the first team, but, gradually, it all went down from there and I started playing in the second team…

Do you think you might get the same treatment from Metalist?

I talked to club president and general manager – they are expecting me to play. You can feel it when something is not right. I am not included in the roster for the Benfica game, but, most likely, will fly to Portugal and get a chance to meet everyone. Currently, I know only Fomin – we met when playing for the youth team.

Would you consider returning to Dynamo in the future?

Yes, but only if I get to play for the first team. I am fed up with a second team. For now, I will have a special attitude when playing against Dynamo.