Arsenal 'forced' into dropping Ben White for first time in over TWO years as Mikel Arteta explains shock call to start Riccardo Calafiori in crucial Man City clash

Arsenal boss Arteta decided to drop Ben White from the starting lineup in their crucial Premier League encounter against Manchester City on Sunday as he deployed Jurrien Timber in the right-back position while handing new signing Riccardo Calafiori his first start on the left side of the backline.

For the first time since May 2022, Ben White did not feature in the Gunners' starting lineup despite making the matchday squad. Ahead of kick-off at Etihad, Mikel Arteta explained why he was "forced" to drop the Englishman from the playing eleven.

Speaking to reporters, the 42-year-old said: "It was a little bit forced [to drop Ben White and start Riccardo Calafiori], but we are ok. We've done it with different players but we have full belief in the players we have. It gives us something different."

The Gunners, who have emerged as the Cityzens' top title challengers in the past couple of seasons, will wrap up their September schedule with a Carabao Cup clash against Bolton and a home game against Leicester City in the Premier League.