Mikel Arteta explains Ben White absence from Arsenal XI as star makes debut vs Man City

Mikel Arteta has revealed he has been forced into starting Riccardo Calafiori over Ben White for Arsenal’s clash against Manchester City.

The Italian defender makes his first Premier League start for the Gunners, with White dropping to the bench. The latter last started a game in the top-flight on the bench in May 2022 and started each team he has been available since.

 The north London side’s Spanish coach hinted that White was not capable of starting that match. Arteta remained confident of his side’s ability to earn success at the Etihad Stadium however.

“It was a little bit forced [to drop Ben White and start Riccardo Calafiori], but we are ok,” he said. “We’ve done it with different players but we have full belief in the players we have. It gives us something different.”

Arsenal’s second change for their trip to play the Premier League champions sees Leandro Trossard come into the XI ahead of Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian forward is among the substitutes along with fellow former Man City star Raheem Sterling.

The Gunners remain without Martin Odegaard, whose injury status was confirmed earlier in the week. The Denmark international suffered an ankle injury is expected to be out for eight weeks.

Mikel Merino, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu all remain out with issues.