Mikel Arteta has justified his decision to bench Ben White for Arsenal’s crunch clash against Manchester City.
The Gunners welcome the reigning Premier League champions to the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night in a match that could go a long way to deciding this season’s title race. Arsenal’s team news featured the shock absence of White, the first time he has been left out in the league this season.
Arteta has explained the reasoning behind his decision to drop White in favour of Takehiro Tomiyasu at right-back, though, as he made it clear that there is a need to “rotate”.
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Speaking on Amazon Prime Video’s coverage, he said: “We have to rotate and put players in that can give us different things in games, attacking and defending.”
The Arsenal boss also added: “Enthusiasm, energy and looking forward to it. When we’re kids we want to be involved in these kind of games.
“We don’t know yet [what Thomas Partey’s injury is], he felt some discomfort in the muscle so obviously he’s been ruled out.”
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Thomas Partey is also absent, with injury keeping him out of the matchday squad, and has been replaced in midfield by January signing Jorginho.
Arsenal go into the match aiming to end a run of two league matches without a win, following a loss to Everton and a frustrating home draw against Brentford.
On what needs to change from those performances against City, Arteta continued: “Efficiency, we have created a lot of chances and dominated games for big periods so it’s about putting chances away. We must find belief.”
White has been a key man for Arteta’s side this season, starting each of their 21 league matches prior to the visit of City on Wednesday. He has also played six times in the Europa League and FA Cup this season.
Arsenal can extend their lead over City to six points at the top of the table with a win but will be overtaken on goal difference if they lose, although still with a game in hand on their title rivals.
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