Mikel Arteta has no issues with Gabriel and Saliba arguing at the end of Arsenal’s win over Leicester - because he doesn’t want his players to be robots.
Footage of the centre-backs pushing each other on the pitch at the King Power Stadium on Saturday went viral on social media after the Gunners’ 1-0 victory.
Arteta is adamant there has been no fallout between the pair and he is pleased to see that level of passion from his players.
Arsenal are currently two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and can extend their lead to five on Wednesday if they beat Everton.
“They are a happy marriage! They love playing with each other, but they are really demanding with each other - which is good,” said Arteta. “Everything is fine.
“I don’t want robots. I want players with feeling, with passion that makes demands of each other but at the end they have that chemistry.
“Those two certainly have that chemistry on and off the field and I love that, even when winning, they want to do better.”
Arsenal are flying high, but London rivals Chelsea are struggling under Graham Potter and Arteta has expressed his sympathy for the under-fire boss.
“We are colleagues and we all know the pressure, the demands and the uncertainty that this industry has,” he said.
“Of course you empathise because you suffer and you know how it is when he is going through those moments.”
