Mikel Arteta was forced to change his preferred Arsenal starting XI for Wednesday night’s top of the table tussle with Manchester City when Thomas Partey was declared unable to participate due to a muscle injury.
The Ghanaian midfielder has been a crucial component of the league leaders’ lineup this term, shielding the back four and making smart passes into his side’s more forward-thinking players. Without the ex-Atletico Madrid man, Arteta turned to Jorginho signed from Chelsea during the January window
But one decision that the Spaniard didn’t have to make, but a change he chose to, was to swap out Ben White at right-back. The England international has been first-choice in that role this term, having been usurped at the heart of defence by William Saliba since the Frenchman’s return from Marseille last summer.
