• Arteta said: “I love it, they demand more from each other and they are not happy with the way they concede that and they are trying to resolve it.
• Arteta’s celebrations at full-time illustrated just how much the win meant in a meeting with a Forest team whose victory last season ended Arsenal’s title challenge.
Image: HANDOUT
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said he “loved” seeing Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko clash at the end of their 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.
The Gunners closed the gap on Premier League leaders Liverpool to two points after an impressive second-half show cracked Forest’s resistance at the City Ground.
But, after leading 2-0 through Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka, the visitors conceded late on when substitute Taiwo Awoniyi struck. After the full-time whistle, Arsenal’s celebrations were cut short when White and Zinchenko had to be separated after arguing about the hosts’ late goal.
Arteta said: “I love it, they demand more from each other and they are not happy with the way they concede that and they are trying to resolve it.
“It was a bit heated, but that means it is not enough playing the way we played, the result has to be bigger. That’s pushing each other and not being happy conceding and I have to encourage that and promote it in the right way and a respectful way.
“Sometimes after the game it’s emotional and heated, but I love that the players are pushing each other and demanding excellence.”
The Gunners initially struggled to break down Forest’s well-organised rearguard but took the lead after 65 minutes when home keeper Matt Turner allowed Jesus’ low shot to deflect in as it slipped through his legs at the near post.
Arsenal doubled their lead seven minutes later, cashing in ruthlessly on another Forest error after Gonzalo Montiel gifted possession to Martin Odegaard, his pass setting up Jesus to play in Saka for a confident finish across Turner.
Forest substitute Awoniyi grabbed a goal back with a close-range finish in the dying moments and almost levelled from a similar position just moments after, but Gunners keeper David Raya was equal to it.
Arteta’s celebrations at full-time illustrated just how much the win meant in a meeting with a Forest team whose victory last season ended Arsenal’s title challenge.
Arsenal lacked urgency in the first 45 minutes, Forest digging in successfully and resisting any serious threat despite the visitors’ dominating possession.
The stakes are getting higher and Arsenal simply had to provide more cutting edge after the break or risk leaving the City Ground without the three points they desperately required.
It was a far more dangerous Arsenal that re-emerged after the break, passing swiftly and more directly - a combination that proved too much for Forest.
The pressure was mounting, with Jesus rattling the bar from six yards and shooting over before he was the grateful beneficiary of the error from former Arsenal keeper Turner, who somehow allowed the ball to squirm into the net to end the stalemate.
Saka had threatened throughout, but even after he made it 2-0 Arsenal then had to survive five anxious minutes of stoppage time after Awoniyi forced his way on to Montiel’s cross to give Forest hope of an unlikely comeback.
The Gunners held out, Awoniyi scooping a chance into the arms of keeper Raya, and ended up celebrating at the ground where they suffered so much pain at the end of last season.
Nottingham Forest barely raised a hint of danger to Arsenal until Awoniyi struck in stoppage time, but manager Nuno Espirito Santo will still be bitterly frustrated that two very avoidable errors from his side gave them an insurmountable task and helped the Gunners to victory.
Keeper Turner was shaking his head in disbelief after letting in Jesus’ routine low shot at his near post, while Montiel’s carelessness in possession gave Arsenal the sort of counter-attacking opportunity they relish, ending with Saka doubling the lead.
If there was one big plus from the evening it was the return of striker Awoniyi, who has been out since November after having groin surgery. He caused Arsenal the few problems they encountered, scoring one goal and almost getting another as he made an impact with his physical presence.
Nuno will need him to stay fit as Forest fight relegation, especially as they may face punishment after they were referred to an independent commission by the Premier League for an alleged breach of financial regulations.