Arsenal team-mates Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko concerned in “heated” scuffle at end of 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest; defenders needed to be separated after arguing over Forest’s late objective; Gunners boss Mikel Arteta: “I love it, they demand more from each other and they are not happy”
Mikel Arteta “loved” seeing Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko conflict with one another at the end of Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
The Gunners had been cruising to a straightforward three factors at the City Ground 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 had been reduce quick when White and Zinchenko needed to be separated after arguing over the objective they conceded.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White had a heated confrontation after the ultimate whistle of Arsenal’s 2-1 win in opposition to Nottingham Forest, and Mikel Arteta reacted by saying he ‘loves it’. Arteta feels it exhibits the fervour amongst his gamers.
“I love it, they demand more from each other and they are not happy with the way they concede that and they are trying to resolve it,” the Arsenal boss stated.
“It was a bit heated, however meaning it’s not sufficient taking part in the way in which we performed, the consequence has to be greater.
“That’s pushing one another and being not blissful conceding and I’ve to encourage that and market it in the precise means and a respectful means.
“Sometimes after the sport it is emotional and heated, however I like that the gamers are pushing one another and demanding excellence.”
Arsenal shut in on leaders Liverpool
The victory noticed the Gunners exorcise the ghosts of final season when May’s 1-0 defeat at the City Ground noticed their title problem come to an end – and Arteta was happy to see his aspect put that proper.
“I could feel it, they were talking about it coming to that dressing room,” he stated. “It actually reminds you, our brains and our bodies are actually clever and coming to the identical scenario they know what occurred and they had been actually lively and engaged and they had been speaking concerning the sport with one another.
“I believed it was actually good.
“I’m actually blissful with the efficiency and the consequence. We noticed what occurred final yr and we needed to place it proper, we needed to generate some momentum within the league and I believed we did that.
“The efficiency was excellent, we fully dominated the sport. We needed to be affected person however we all the time had a watch to the opponent, we did not permit them to run.”
Analysis: Arsenal present persona, endurance and ardour
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz:
Mikel Arteta demanded his Arsenal workforce present their persona 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 at the City Ground. Manchester City and Chelsea did not win there final season too.
But amid a raucous house environment, Arsenal’s persona shone by. Within half an hour, that they had made 111 touches within the last third in comparison with only one for Forest, who had been pinned again and their followers had been left shocked and silent.
The solely issue was that, for many of the sport, the vital statistic was 0-0.
Then got here the endurance. Jesus missed two massive possibilities at the beginning of the second half however his willingness to maintain going, rating one, then arrange one other, received his aspect the sport.
Then got here the fervour. After full-time, with Forest almost coming again to say some extent, Oleksandr Zinchenko was livid at Ben White – each gamers needed to be separated amid the celebrations.
Loads 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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