Mikel Arteta says he “loved” seeing Oleksandr Zinchenko’s heated exchange with team-mate Ben White after Arsenal’s win at Nottingham Forest.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Tuesday night at the City Ground, the Gunners defeated Forest 2-1 thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka in the second half. Taiwo Awoniyi added a late consolation goal. Defenders Zinchenko and White had to be held apart at the final whistle despite winning all three points; the former was incensed at failing to record a clean sheet. Manager Arteta has now voiced his happiness with the players’ passion and dissatisfaction with the win.

WHAT MIKEL ARTETA SAID

Regarding the Zinchenko and White incident, Arteta said to reporters, “I adore it! I adore it because they push each other to the limit. They are merely attempting to find a solution because they are unhappy with how they gave up that [objective]. Although it was a little heated, this indicates that our style of play was insufficient; a larger margin of victory and a clean sheet are required.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The result reignited Arsenal’s title ambitions and put them within two points of league leaders Liverpool and three points ahead of defending champions Manchester City, although both sides have games in hand on the Gunners.

WHAT NEXT?

Second-placed Arsenal face a mighty Premier League test next up against Jurgen Klopp’s table-topping Liverpool on Sunday, followed by an away trip to London rivals West Ham, who sit sixth in the table, a week later.