Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta explained why he was not angry with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White after they were seen fighting on the pitch.
The two got into a heated exchange after the 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Tuesday night, after which the Spanish manager spoke to the Ukrainian.
Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka secured all three points with second-half goals, although Taiwo Awoniyi’s stoppage-time strike prevented the visitors from keeping a clean sheet.
“It means we’re pushing and we’re not happy to concede,” Arteta told TNT Sports. “I have to encourage and promote this in the right and respectful way.
“Sometimes it gets too emotional and heated after the game, but I want the players to push each other and demand excellence.
“Today we got a goal that is not at the level we want.”
Arsenal moved up to two points behind Liverpool, who have played one less game in the Premier League. The two teams meet at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
“It’s good to get momentum, we were good against Crystal Palace and we created momentum with a really strong performance,” Arteta added.
“We had to be very patient but have the intention to hurt them all the time and we did that.”
“We need different tools and we have to find the right moment when we have opportunities.
“We had many chances in positional play, but we didn’t convert them.
“Against this team at home, I have seen many teams that have suffered, I am satisfied with the performance and the win.”