Mikel Arteta has explained his decision to drop Ben White for their showdown with Manchester City. White was named on the Arsenal bench at the Etihad Stadium, with Jurrien Timber starting at right-back and £42million signing Riccardo Calafiori in at left-back for his first Premier League start.

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.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been compelled to alter his starting XI for the high-octane fixture against Manchester City, drafting in Riccardo Calafiori in place of Ben White.