Mikel Arteta: Arsenal boss has no issue with Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko scuffle at end of Forest win | Football News

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta “liked” seeing Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko conflict with one another on the finish of his facet’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

The Gunners have been cruising to a simple three factors on the Metropolis Floor after second-half objectives from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka however endured a nervy ending when Taiwo Awoniyi capitalised on a defensive mistake to offer Forest a lifeline.

They noticed out the victory which closed the hole on Premier League leaders Liverpool, however celebrations have been minimize brief when White and Zinchenko needed to be separated after arguing over the purpose they conceded.

Arteta mentioned: “I like it, they demand extra from one another and they aren’t pleased with the best way they concede that and they’re attempting to resolve it.

“It was a bit heated, however which means it isn’t sufficient taking part in the best way we performed, the end result must be larger.

“That is pushing one another and being not blissful conceding and I’ve to encourage that and put it up for sale in the fitting means and a respectful means.

“Typically after the sport it is emotional and heated, however I really like that the gamers are pushing one another and demanding excellence.”

The victory noticed the Gunners exorcise the ghosts of final season when Might’s 1-0 defeat on the Metropolis Floor noticed their title problem come to an finish – and Arteta was happy to see his facet put that proper.

“I may really feel it, they have been speaking about it coming to that dressing room,” he mentioned. “It actually reminds you, our brains and our bodies are actually clever and coming to the identical scenario they know what occurred they usually have been actually energetic and engaged they usually have been speaking concerning the sport with one another.

“I assumed it was actually good.

“I’m actually pleased with the efficiency and the end result. We noticed what occurred final yr and we needed to place it proper, we needed to generate some momentum within the league and I assumed we did that.

“The efficiency was excellent, we utterly dominated the sport. We needed to be affected person however we all the time had a watch to the opponent, we did not enable them to run.”

Arsenal present character, endurance and keenness

Sky Sports activities’ Sam Blitz:

Mikel Arteta demanded his Arsenal staff present their character at Nottingham Forest – a spot the place many high groups have faltered.

Since Forest got here as much as the Premier League, they’ve crushed Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester United and this season’s Aston Villa on the Metropolis Floor. Manchester Metropolis and Chelsea did not win there final season too.

However amid a raucous dwelling ambiance, Arsenal’s character shone by. Inside half an hour, they’d made 111 touches within the last third in comparison with only one for Forest, who have been pinned again and their followers have been left shocked and silent.

The one challenge was that, for many of the sport, the vital statistic was 0-0.

Then got here the endurance. Jesus missed two huge possibilities firstly of the second half however his willingness to maintain going, rating one, then arrange one other, gained his facet the sport.

Then got here the eagerness. After full-time, with Forest practically coming again to say some extent, Oleksandr Zinchenko was livid at Ben White – each gamers needed to be separated amid the celebrations.

Rather a lot has been made about what Arsenal lack. New striker, new winger, new left-back are among the many cries. None are coming, so Arsenal are sticking to what they do have.

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