Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White were involved in a bust-up following Arsenal’s win at Nottingham Forest (Picture: PLP)
Ian Wright believes last night’s bust-up between Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko represents a surefire sign we are reaching the business end of the Premier League season.
Arsenal moved to within two points of leaders Liverpool, albeit having played a game more, following a gritty 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Second half goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka ultimately proved decisive, but Mikel Arteta’s side were made to sweat during the closing stages after Taiwo Awoniyi halved the deficit.
While the majority of Arsenal’s players celebrated at the final whistle, Zinchenko and White were involved in a heated argument after the Ukraine international was guilty of playing Gonzalo Montiel onside in the build-up to the goal.
‘There’s obviously a disagreement there but that says to me that there’s fire in the belly,’ Wright told Premier League Productions when asked for his reaction.
‘Whatever’s happened you know Zinchenko’s a very emotional guy, he’s a great player, but a very emotional guy.
‘Obviously something’s gone on to cause a problem there but it will be sorted and that’s the main thing.
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Matt Turner was at fault for Gabriel Jesus’ opening goal against Nottingham Forest (Picture: Getty)
‘What it says to me is we’re getting to the crux end, things are tight, emotions are frayed a little bit. That was a tough game, things are said that people may take a little bit to heart.
‘It’s something you have to get over because like I said we’re getting to the crux end of the season and this is where you have to deal with this type of pressure.
‘Whatever that is you have to make sure it’s sorted out.’
Arteta, meanwhile, insisted he was delighted to see two of his players displaying such emotion, despite the incident detracting from a vital three points earned.
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‘I love it,’ said the Arsenal manager in his post match press conference.’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.’