Artem Dzyuba, the forward for Lokomotiv Moscow, spoke in an interview with journalist Nobel Arustamian about how fans in both Moscow and Saint Petersburg have perceived him, noting a shared sense of hostility from Zenit supporters that crosses city lines.
He addressed the question of why he feels disliked, explaining that public reaction often centers on private matters that have become public at times. He admitted that a video circulating online has amplified the conversation, stressing that he does not endorse or encourage such behavior or its display on camera. The remarks were made on Nobel Arustamian’s YouTube channel.
Dzyuba debuted for Lokomotiv in a Russian Cup clash against Spartak, playing the full 90 minutes without finding the back of the net. Yet his influence on the pitch was undeniable, as he was named the best player of the match in a 1-0 Lokomotiv victory over the red-and-whites. A return leg is scheduled for late February to determine the tie on aggregate.
On February 8, the striker signed a contract with Lokomotiv that runs through the end of the season. Dzyuba began the 2022/23 campaign with Adana Demirspor in Turkey, but terminated that contract after a brief stint and began weighing his options as a free agent before signing with Lokomotiv.
Former Spartak Moscow player Anzor Kavazashvili offered his perspective on Dzyuba’s prospects with the national team and his potential role in future squads, weighing the veteran striker’s fit within Russia’s broader football plans.