Arsenal dealt another fresh injury blow before Man City clash as Arteta forced to make starting XI decision

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has explained that he was forced to drop Ben White to the bench against Manchester City today, with Riccardo Calafiori replacing the English defender in the starting XI at the Etihad Stadium.

The Gunners star was only passed as fit enough to feature on the bench for Arsenal against the Premier League leaders, according to Football London.

White had not started a Premier League game on the bench for the North London club since May 2022 and had started every league game he had featured in for the past two seasons.

White also played the full match away to Atalanta on Thursday night in the Champions League opener and has played every minute so far this season, but he has been forced to sit out of the starting XI on Sunday.

Arteta spoke to Sky Sports about the versatile defender being on the bench, suggesting it is fitness-related.

Jurrien Timber is starting at right-back against Man City, while Calafiori will slot in at left-back for his first Premier League start.

Arsenal are desperate for victory against Man City after their goalless draw at Etihad last season proved costly in the title race.

Being without White is a blow and it remains to be seen whether the Englishman will feature in the game.

Arsenal are still without Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney due to injuries, and having White join that list is the last thing Arteta wants.

The Gunners are back in action after today on Wednesday when they host Bolton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup before hosting Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday.

A win against Man City will see Arsenal go top of the league table, and they could do with such an early boost in the title race.