The real reason behind the bust-up between Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ben White after the final whistle in Arsenal's 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest has been revealed, according to reports. 

The Gunners secured a hugely important victory on the road in a replay of the game last May that officially confirmed Manchester City as Premier League title-winners, ending Arsenal's own bid. 

Second-half goals from both Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka had the visitors heading for a routine win after a tense opening 45 minutes. 

However, with the clock edging closer to the red zone, Taiwo Awoniyi - who scored in the 1-0 meeting in May - struck to trigger a more nervous ending than Mikel Arteta will have been hoping for. 

His side would eventually hold out for the three points, but at the final whistle there was a surprising exchange of words between Zinchenko and White, with both players seemingly incensed despite the victory. 

According to Sky Sports reports, the players were both furious about the concession late in the game. 

Awoniyi's strike prompted a VAR check for offside on the position of Gonzalo Montiel on the attacking right flank, but it was a quick one with the Argentina international clearly onside. 

The check highlighted, though, that Zinchenko was a yard or so behind the rest of his defensive line, playing the Forest star on and thereby allowing the goal, where the rest of his team-mates had stepped up well. 

This is thought to be the source of White's fury at the final whistle, as he reportedly made his feelings known. 

While most managers might try to play down any talk of dressing-room strife - public or otherwise - Arteta was quick to praise his charges' actions. 

'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,' he said. 

'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 being not 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.

'We wanted to generate some momentum in the league and I thought we did that. The performance was very good, we completely dominated the game.

'We had to be patient but we always had an eye to the opponent, we didn't allow them to run. We generated chances in a number of ways. I think we showed a lot of maturity to deal with the game in the way we had to.'

It proved to be an important win for the Gunners amid a poor run of form, especially with the visit of leaders Liverpool to come at the weekend as Arteta's side look to rekindle their title charge.