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Mikel Arteta explains full time bust-up between Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko

Mikel Arteta explains more on the full time bust-up between Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko after Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest.

The Arsenal duo ended up having to be separated by staff and fellow teammates after the final whistle as the Gunners celebrated closing the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to two points.

White and Zinchenko argued with each other, before set piece coach Nicolas Jover got in the middle of them, Reiss Nelson dragged Zinchenko away, while Jover moved White on.

Then Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta can be seen grabbing Zinchenko for a word as White walked in the opposite direction while the team tried to applaud the away end.

Speaking to TNT Sports about what happened, 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 too emotional and heated.

“But I love that the players are pushing each other and demanding excellence.

“And today we conceded a goal that is not at the level that we want.”

Arsenal came away with a 2-1 victory at Nottingham Forest with Gabriel Jesus opening the scoring before Bukayo Saka quickly doubled lead.

Forest substitute Taiwo Awoniyi struck late on to set up nervy finish, but Arsenal held on for the win. Forest now sit just two points above drop zone.

Player ratings (via Sky Sports)

Nottingham Forest: Turner (5); Montiel (5), Omobamidele (6), Murillo (7), Toffolo (6); Danilo (6), Mangala (6); Williams (6), Gibbs-White (6), Wood (5).

Subs: Awoniyi (7), Hudson-Odoi (6), Yates (6), Elanga (6).

Arsenal: Raya (6); White (6), Saliba (6), Gabriel (6), Zinchenko (7); Rice (7), Odegaard (7), Smith Rowe (7); Saka (8), Jesus (9), Martinelli (6).

Subs: Havertz (6), Nketiah (6), Trossard (6), Jorginho (n/a), Kiwior (n/a).

Player of the match: Gabriel Jesus

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports after the game. On Nottingham Forest’s goalscorer Taiwo Awoniyi: “Awoniyi is a real threat and obviously with the deep block they have spaces in behind you.

“He is a really dangerous player and he also scored at the Emirates and again today.”

On the win: “Good to get some momentum we was good against Crystal Palace and we have generated momentum with a really strong performance.

“We had to be really patient but have the intention to hurt them all the time and we did that.”

“We need different tools and we need to find the right moment when we have the chances.

“In positional play we had a lot of chances but we didn’t convert them.

“Against this team at home I have seen a lot of teams that have suffered, I am pleased with the performance and winning the game.”

On Gabriel Jesus: “We really need him at his best and I had a good feeling before the game.

“He was magnificent today.”

On facing Liverpool next: “We have some momentum, we put in a strong performance.

“We have massive game against top of the table.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, speaking to BBC 5 Live after the game: “Two very difficult experiences [against Nottingham Forest] and last season against them was the day we could have been champions so I had that in my tummy.

“But I think the team was excellent today and we was really dominant. We did not concede nothing till the 90th minute and after we had to suffer a bit.

“Obviously Nottingham Forest took some chances and took some risks as they brought in some really strong attacking players.

“We did not defend the goal well and we are disappointed with that as we wanted another clean sheet.”

On the building momentum: “We have to generate some momentum.

“We have to prepare well as it is going to be a big game [facing Liverpool next at the weekend].”

–

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo, speaking to TNT Sports after the game: “We were organised and committed to the task. In the first half we were really organised and we blocked the game.

“We missed a bit of the ball and the pressing of Arsenal we could not deal with in the second half.

“Disappointed with the way we conceded, but in the end we tried but we should have done more.”

On the Gabriel Jesus’ opening goal: “It was a throw in and we should have covered the inside and not allow them to go inside – we should have defended better.”

On players fitness: “Chris Wood was not 100%.

“Taiwo Awoniyi is just coming back and we have to minimise his minutes but he did well – surprising he scored but it is a positive.

“Having Anthony Elanga back on the pitch is a positive and we have more options for the future.”

On the atmosphere this evening: “We can not thank them enough how they support the team.

“We should have gave more, but that comes from us – we cannot thank them enough.”

More from Nuno, speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the game: “We were more organised and we did not allow Arsenal to break or play the way they wanted [in the first half] but there was some possession missing and we should have tried to play a little more.

“In the second half we started better, we went attacking and having some good spells of possession causing problems.

“I am disappointed with the way we conceded both goals we should avoid them.

“The first from a throw in and then [the second] from an offensive corner that cost us the game.

“I am proud of the way we finished the game on top and tried to achieve the second goal.”

On Taiwo Awoniyi’s return: “We need him and Chris Wood both at the same time for us it is insurance to have two strikers.”

https://youtu.be/9aH9yXN7O2c?si=qSg7Te_TcCGJkCov

This is how fans reacted as Mikel Arteta explains the full time bust-up between Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko…

@Gunneruni: Zinchenko tired of being blamed 😂

@CurtisG_95: Hopefully White is telling Zinchenko to pattern up on 1v1 defending and to stop slowing down our play

@bry5913: Benjamin White is all of us over the last few months and told him to sort his shit out.

@ChrisDailly: I’d say this is a good sign no? I’d love to see my team do this. At least it shows they care.

@mrdanipak: Zina played them onside.. thats what White was probably unhappy about. But they need to hush it out quick, big game ahead

@ThekingJ81: I’m really happy Zinchenko and White had a confrontation. You want players to care. You want them to maintain standards. You want them to not be happy when it goes wrong. You want high standards

@SIMON49Arsenal: Zinchenko has been fantastic in tonight’s game first half and second half but he has a problem with switching off when he thinks the game is won in his head. Ben white is 100% in his right to have a go at him because that goal could have been prevented if he followed his runner

@matt_ling6: Rate it from Ben white

@JackSimmons101: Don’t know what was said, but if White was having a go at Zinchenko for the goal we conceded then I don’t blame him, very weak defending and put so much pressure on us for the last 10 minutes after a comfortable performance.

@griffinsean27: Zinchenko can’t defend……blatantly obvious. He’s cost us quite a few goals and back end of last season he cost us big time.

@RAHsenal: Zinny was meant to be a calm/experienced head you know but he just brings airheadness

@_goatnelli: If we’re being honest, Saliba is the reason why we conceded the goal. He misjudged the flight of the ball. not entirely Zinny’s fault. He’s just our defense scapegoat

@isaaczic0: They will probably sort it out in the dressing room . I’m loving this new mentality of ours 💪🏻❤️

@goonercody: Love Zinchenko, but he needed to be called out on yet another defensive error. Benny was right to confront him.

@swashy123: Zinchenko’s poor defending and lack of awareness has cost us loads of times this season. The audacity

@_ismo99: I absolutely agree with Ben white, that’s the 3rd time a long ball over zinchenko’s head is costing us a goal this season. At Anfiled, away to West ham in the league cup and today.

@nickinnocent: Everyone forgets Zinchenko threw the ball to Jesus for first goal. Everyone asking Tomiyasu to play instead of white earlier in the season. If we want Zinchenko to help in midfield you have to accept the defensive mistakes. Otherwise no extra midfielder.

@BenRedfern1: Good to know that the other players are letting him know just how much his stupidity is costing us.

@Benrigby25: Mad how much he tries be like pep proper embarrassing 🤢

@arsenalgram: Can’t blame him. He’s fed up of Zinchenko’s constant errors defensively

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