'Didn't want to play him': Mikel Arteta says one Arsenal star was never actually meant to feature vs Man City

Arsenal drew 2-2 with Manchester City on Sunday with the Gunners mere seconds away from one of their biggest wins yet under Mikel Arteta.

John Stones’ 98th-minute equaliser was a cruel blow for Arsenal after defending so valiantly for the entire game, with the north London side playing the second-half with just ten players after Leandro Trossard’s red card.

As well as coming within touching distance of a historic win, Arsenal were hit with a number of injuries throughout the game from goalscorer Riccardo Calafiori to Jurrien Timber to a cramped-up Gabriel Martinelli.

And Arteta has now said one Arsenal player who made an appearance wasn’t even originally planned to play.

Ben White originally not meant to play for Arsenal vs Man City

Speaking to the press after the game, Arteta revealed that Ben White was not planned to play that much for the Gunners having started every match this season, including Thursday’s UEFA Champions League opener away to Atalanta.

White was brought on at half-time for Bukayo Saka with the defender joining to form a back-five after Trossard’s sending off, yet had the red card not occurred, there’s a real chance that the England international might not have played at all for the Gunners.

Arteta said when asked about the decision to start White on the bench against City: “We didn’t want to play him that long, but we had to. I spoke to him yesterday and I wanted to protect him.

“He’s not going to ever tell you that he’s not fit. He will run through a brick wall for you. The intention was not to use him today. But I’m very grateful because he performed extremely well.”

Arsenal fans will hope White is fit enough for Leicester City tie

With Arsenal hosting Bolton Wanderers this week in the League Cup, there’s a real chance that Arteta could make 11 changes from the side that faced City this weekend at the Etihad Stadium.

And with White already in need of a rest, Arsenal fans will be hopeful that the defender is fit enough to face Leicester City on Saturday in what could be a massive Premier League tie for the Gunners.

White is one of Arsenal’s most important players, and with the defender already feeling tired after six games this season, fans will be praying that the England fullback is fully fit for Saturday’s tie at the Emirates.