This isn’t Disneyland! Mikel Arteta plays down Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White heated on-pitch row and jokes pair have been ‘living together and sharing wives’ ahead of Arsenal’s key clash with Liverpool
- Zinchenko and White clashed at full-time after Arsenal defeated Nottingham Forest
- Arteta played down the incident as the Gunners prepare to welcome Liverpool
- Arsenal could have saved Kai Havertz’s money to buy a striker in January! It all starts Transferweek podcast
Mikel Arteta said joining the Premier League is not ‘Disneyland’ as he played up the feud between Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White.
The two clashed at the final whistle of Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.
Ahead of their crucial match against Liverpool on Sunday, Arteta said: ‘Maybe we have a different understanding of what the word fight means.
‘I want to see passion and commitment. I want my players to always have the desire to improve and be demanding. If not, it’s Disneyland.”
He further joked, “They (Zinchenko and White) have been in the same house for the past few days, sharing their wives and stuff!
Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko were involved in a furious confrontation after the final whistle of the Gunners’ 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest on Tuesday evening
Mikel Arteta spoke to both Arsenal stars following the post-match bust-up
Arteta has since made light of the Zinchenko-White feud in his press conference
“It’s fine, they live together now. They are best friends. You don’t argue with someone if you don’t have a good relationship. That happens because you have the trust and chemistry with someone to respond the way he or she did.”
Arteta is aware of the threat Jurgen Klopp’s men pose and wants to score goals in any way he can.
“I don’t mind ugly goals,” he said. I like ugly goals. I like cheap goals. Let’s have them. But you have to produce them.’
A big blow is Thomas Partey, who is again unavailable.
The midfielder has not played for the Gunners for almost four months due to a serious thigh problem that required him to undergo surgery.
Arteta confirmed that midfielder Thomas Partey has suffered a setback in his recovery from injury
The Ghanaian had planned to be in action this weekend, but now suffered a setback in the same area a few days ago.
Arteta added: “With Thomas, unfortunately, we had a little setback a few days ago. He will not be available in the squad.
“We’ll see if it’s a matter of days or weeks, but he had something small.
“I’m not a doctor, but he felt something in a similar area and hasn’t been able to exercise for the past few days.”
Arsenal host Liverpool on Sunday in a key match in the title race, with Arteta’s side five points behind the Premier League leaders.
