Arteta gives his honest thoughts on Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko bust-up

30 January 2024 , 22:39

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Mikel Arteta stepped in when Ben White was seen arguing with Oleksandr Zinchenko (Image: ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)

Mikel Arteta insisted he "loved" seeing his players having a bust-up after Arsenal's win at the City Ground.

Arteta had to step in between Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko and separate the rowing pair at the final whistle as Arsenal put themselves firmly back in the title race.

But Arteta says he liked their passion and determination as he claimed their row came after Nottingham Forest substitute Taiwo Awoniyi scored a late consolation to make it a nervy finish.

Gunners boss Arteta said: “That’s pushing each other and being not happy conceding and I have to encourage that and promote it in the right way and a respectful way.

“Sometimes after the game it’s emotional and heated but I love that the players are pushing each other and demanding excellence.

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“It got a bit heated. But that means that it’s enough. Playing the way we played the result has to be bigger and the clean sheet has to be there.”

Arteta praised Gabriel Jesus after his goal broke the deadlock and he provided the assist for Bukayo Saka to seal victory.

But Arteta revealed the Brazil star played through the pain barrier as he also urged his players to maintain the momentum as they now face Liverpool on Sunday.

Arteta added: “Jesus got hit big time in the last game. His knee reacted and it’s the knee he had (surgery on) before. He was super positive, he’s feeling good and he was so sharp in training. I’m not surprised with the way he played tonight.

Mikel Arteta speaks to Oleksandr Zinchenko (Matt West/REX/Shutterstock)

“We have some momentum now with those results. Now go, go, go. We have a beautiful game ahead of us and we have to make sure we have everybody ready for that.”

Nottingham Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo bemoaned his side’s defending around the 65th minute opener and felt they were on course to get something from the game.

He added: “ It was disappointing the way we conceded both goals. It was avoidable. We can avoid those situations. After we scored, there was a feeling we could have got something. We had a good 10-minute spell. But to sum up, we should have played better.”

John Cross