Why Ben White was benched for Arsenal’s huge Premier League clash with Manchester City

Ben White was benched for the huge Premier League clash (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal fans were disappointed to see Ben White only make the bench for the huge Premier League clash against Manchester City.

The Gunners travelled to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday hoping to make a statement in the title race and frustrate a Man City side who are yet to drop a point this season.

Arsenal have also started strongly, beating north London rivals Tottenham last weekend to get back on track following a disappointing draw at home to Brighton before the international break.

Mikel Arteta made two changes to his team for the Man City clash, with White dropping to the bench and summer signing Riccardo Calafiori making his full Arsenal debut.

Calafiori slotted in at left-back, with Jurrien Timber covering White on the right flank and Leandro Trossard also coming into the side following Thursday’s goalless Champions League draw with Atalanta.

White was only deemed to be fit enough for a place on the Arsenal bench, amid rumours of a minor knee injury to the England international.

‘It was a little bit forced [to drop Ben White and start Riccardo Calafiori], but we are ok,’ Arteta said in his pre-match interview.

‘We’ve done it with different players but we have full belief in the players we have. It gives us something different.’

Former Manchester City star Raheem Sterling, who joined Arsenal on loan from Chelsea on deadline day, was alongside White on Arteta’s bench.

Man City talisman Kevin de Bruyne misses out altogether after coming off at half-time during the goalless draw with Inter Milan in midweek.

Ilkay Gundogan comes in for De Bruyne, with Kyle Walker and Jeremy Doku also starting in place of Rico Lewis and Jack Grealish.

Speaking ahead of the mouth-watering encounter, Arsenal boss Arteta said: ‘We’ve been preparing for this since pre-season.

‘Obviously, we knew the schedule and we knew that it’s extremely rare to play in these conditions with three massive away games in eight days, but it was what it was so we have prepared for that, both physically, mentally and tactically.’

Despite the 2024-25 campaign starting just five weeks ago, Arsenal’s title hopes could be all but over if they lose to Man City, according to ex-Premier League midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker.

Arsenal visited the Etihad Stadium to face Man City on Sunday (Picture: Getty)

‘This is a must-not-lose match for Arsenal,’ he told BBC Radio 5 Live. ‘It would be nice if Arsenal delivered a good stiff jab to Manchester City to let them know they are in a real fight.

‘But with Martin Odegaard being out and how important he is to the side, that could be a big problem for Arsenal.’

Clinton Morrison, another former Premier League player, added: ‘If Arsenal had lost to Tottenham last week and then lost to Manchester City then I do think it [title race] might have been over.

‘People would say ‘that’s premature’. But Manchester City don’t drop many points. 

‘The likes of Phil Foden and Rodri haven’t really got into their stride this season. John Stones and Kyle Walker haven’t been regulars. But City are flying at the moment, playing at a different level.’

But former Man City midfielder Michael Brown disagrees, saying: ‘I don’t think it is title deciding right now, but it can give either team a big psychological lift.

‘It’s a wonderful occasion – a real big game – and everybody is looking forward to it.

‘This is an Arsenal side that will come and test Manchester City. We always expect something different. It will be fascinating.’

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