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FootballMikel Arteta’s Brilliant Response to Oleksandr Zinchenko, Ben White Row During Nottingham Forest Win
- Arsenal secured a crucial 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday
- Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White engaged in a row after the game
- Mikel Arteta later explained that he ‘loved’ the exchange between the two players
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta admitted he loved seeing his players have a go at each other after Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White were involved in a row on Tuesday, January 30.
The two players had to be separated as they exchanged words at the tail end of Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.
It was an important win for the Gunners, who are in the hunt for an elusive Premier League title, with the win taking them to within two points of leaders Liverpool.
The Gunners, however, set themselves up for a nervy finale as they conceded a goal in the 89th minute after going 2-0 up through goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka.
Despite the home side halving the deficit through Taiwo Awoniyi, Arsenal held on for a crucial win, with two of their defenders having a go at each other at full-time.
Arteta on Zinchenko’s row with Ben White
Zincheko and his defensive partner Ben White had to be separated by coach Nicolas Jover and Arteta at full-time as tempers threatened to flare.
Arteta was then questioned on the incident after the game, and the Spaniard expertly played it down, saying the two players were simply “pushing each other”.
"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,” he said, per BBC.
"It was a bit heated, but that means it is not enough playing the way we played, the result has to be bigger."
What next for Arsenal?
The Gunners’ win comes at a crucial time as they come up against league leaders Liverpool in the next Premier League game on Sunday, February 4.
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FootballThis will be followed by a London derby against West Ham on February 11, before another away clash against Burnley a week later, according to the Arsenal website.
Arteta and his wads then return to Champions League action with a Round of 16 tie against Porto on February 21.
Pochettino on Klopp’s departure
Still on Premier League news, Sports Brief reported on Mauricio Pochettino’s take on Jurgen Klopp’s imminent departure ahead of Chelsea’s clash against Liverpool.
The Chelsea boss was asked to comment on the matter and was quick to play down any intentions of the Blues to participate in celebrating Klopp at Anfield.