'I love it': Mikel Arteta has no problems after Arsenal duo Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko were separated in the post-match clash.
Arsenal stars Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko had to be separated following the hard-fought 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
While his teammates were delighted to close the gap With two points remaining behind leaders Liverpool, the two full-backs were involved in a heated exchange.
As the gunners The team celebrated together as they approached the traveling fans to applaud, White and Zinchenko were seen in a verbal war of words, before pointing fingers at each other.
The set-piece coach, Nicolás Jover, had to get in the middle of the two, while setting a record Declan Rice He also acted as a mediator.
Reiss Nelson, a late substitute at the City Ground, then joined in to drag Zinchenko away, while Jover escorted White away from the Ukraine international.
It was at that moment that the boss Mikel Arteta He grabbed Zinchenko, who had started walking in White's direction.
The former Manchester City player explained his views to the Spaniard, and Arteta finally managed to calm him down.
Such unpleasant scenes may upset fans or even Arteta himself as the club seeks to win its first Premier League title since 2004.
But the former Gunners captain admitted he loved what he saw, as he claimed the two players were upset about conceding late.
speaking to TNT Sports Of the incident, Arteta said: “That's putting pressure on each other and not being happy to concede.
“And I have to encourage and promote it in the right and respectful way.
“Sometimes after the game it is too emotional and heated.
“But I love that players push each other and demand excellence.
“And today we conceded a goal that is not at the level we want.”
Arsenal have earned the maximum points on offer in 2024 so far – the first time they have won their first two games of a calendar year in a decade.
And they know they could take a leap Liverpool they should win Jurgen KloppThe men at the Emirates on Sunday if the Reds lose to Chelsea on Wednesday night.