Arsenal legend Ian Wright expressed his admiration for Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White engaging in a post-match argument following Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Nottingham Forest. The Gunners, keen on maintaining a clean sheet, conceded a goal to Taiwo Awoniyi as Forest sought to avoid another defeat.
Although Arsenal did not replicate the dazzling performance seen in their previous 5-0 triumph over Crystal Palace, Mikel Arteta’s side secured the win. However, frustrations surfaced among the players, particularly concerning the inability to secure a clean sheet once again, leading to a heated exchange between Zinchenko and White at full-time.
Arteta downplayed the incident, viewing it as a non-issue. Wright, echoing a similar sentiment, perceives the argument between White and Zinchenko as a positive development, indicating a heightened level of accountability and a desire for defensive improvement within the team.
Wright said, as quoted by The Sun:
“I just saw it as it happened, I was like, ‘What’s happening with them two?’, but he (White) went over and he pointed, he said something, and Zinchenko wasn’t happy with it.
“Zinchenko is a very emotional guy. What I like about Ben White is, he’s the player who’s got that look – he will tell you, and he probably told him, then Mikel [Arteta] came on.
“I would have preferred you let them play it out [on the pitch] – it’s not like they were going to have a fight. You go in the dressing room and deal with it there but to see the manager coming out and talking to him right there and then, I’m thinking, ‘[deal with it in the dressing room]’.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Fights are inevitable parts of the game, and we expect the defenders to be frustrated that they did not keep a clean sheet, so it is not a surprise.
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Good to see White giving Zinchenko a bollocking for another mistake, about time someone did!
It happens, just because you get to witness it on the pitch does’nt mean it’s strange.
Nothing wrong at all; likely it’s professional having a discussion about accountability and responsibility, love to see it.