Arsenal pair have to be physically forced apart at full-time of Forest clash as tempers boil over in furious row

BEN WHITE and Oleksandr Zinchenko had to be pulled apart after full-time following a furious bust-up.

The pair lined up in defence together as Arsenal eked out a nervy 2-1 win away at Nottingham Forest.

But despite the victory, there appeared to be an angry altercation between them at full-time.

It is understood the rowing team-mates clashed over the late goal the Gunners conceded at the City Ground as Taiwo Awoniyi found the net on 89 minutes to set up a tense finale.

Zinchenko was beaten in the air on the edge of the penalty area and Forest striker Awoniyi turned Gabriel before firing past David Raya.

Arsenal did eventually see out injury time to hold on to the crucial three points.

But White and Zinchenko had to be physically separated as tempers boiled over.

Manager Mikel Arteta even had to step in and confront the Ukrainian left-back over his conduct, giving him a stern and public talking to.

A smiling Arteta told TNT Sports: “That’s pushing each other and being not happy conceding.

“I have to encourage that and promote it in the right way and a respectful way.

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“Sometimes after the game, it’s emotional and heated but I love that the players are pushing each other and demanding excellence.

“Today we conceded a goal that was not at the level that we want.”

Arsenal moved within two points of leaders Liverpool with the win thanks to goals from Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka – but the Reds do have a game in hand.

So the Gunners fans were delighted to see their side take another step in their hunt for a first Premier League crown since 2004.

And most supporters were united in their stance over the scenes at full-time.

One said: “Stupid last five. White had a proper go at Zinchenko at FT, had to be kept apart. Love the passion, how it should be.”

Another wrote: “Ben White and Zinchenko fighting over conceding a goal, that’s the standard Mikel Arteta has set and I love it.”

A third added: “Zinchenko caught out again. White making sure he knows he was at fault. Good.”

A fourth replied: “Ben White is 100 per cent in his right to have a go at him because that goal could have been prevented if he followed his runner.”

A fifth commented: “Ben White spoke for all of us when he had a word with Zinchenko.”

And a final user responded: “I love this, as long as it doesn’t get physical… Ben has a right to be mad.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk