Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta embraces the intensity among teammates, expressing his affection for the post-match disagreement between Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White after the 2-1 win at Nottingham Forest.
The incident required intervention from set-piece coach Nicolas Jover and Arteta himself.
Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka secured a second-half lead for the away team, narrowed down by substitute Taiwo Awoniyi’s 89th-minute strike.
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya made a crucial stoppage-time save to thwart Awoniyi, ensuring the Gunners clinched a victory that propels them to second place in the Premier League.
When questioned about the dispute between Zinchenko and White, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta acknowledged the incident but downplayed its significance,
emphasizing the team’s focus on securing the 2-1 win against Nottingham Forest.
Arteta said:
“I love it. They are demanding more from each other.
They are not happy with the way they conceded and they are just trying to resolve it.
“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.”
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Arteta also revealed Jesus faced Forest despite suffering a kick that left fluid on his knee.
“Gabi started to win the game two days ago.”
“He had an issue with his knee and everyone was trying to protect him and saying ‘don’t go outside.’
“But he was saying [matchday] -2, [matchday] -1, I want to be there I want to help the team to win the game.
When you have that mentality, good things are going to happen. I’m really pleased with him.”
Asked if Jesus could be a doubt for Sunday’s visit of Liverpool,l.
“I don’t know. He 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.”
Arsenal is set to encounter Liverpool on Sunday in a highly anticipated match.
A victory in this fixture could significantly enhance Arsenal’s position in the title race.
