Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirms Ben White injury truth after Man City thriller

Arsenal defender Ben White played with an injury against Manchester City, Mikel Arteta confirmed after the game.

White dropped to the bench for the trip to the Etihad Stadium with Riccardo Calafiori replacing him. The Italian scored his first goal for the club with a spectacular finish into the top corner.

However, with the Gunners 2-1 up, Leandro Trossard was sent off for two bookable offences, forcing Arteta into a change at half-time. White replaced Bukayo Saka for the second-half but was unable to keep City out as John Stones levelled late on.

After the draw, Arteta confirmed that White came on to help the team despite being injured. "He would run through a brick wall for you," he told reporters after the game.

The Gunners boss added that he had informed the full-back that he had wanted to protect him. Arteta also praised White's dedication, insisting he would never declare himself unavailable.

Arsenal were so close from sealing a valuable victory over their title rivals. After going behind through Erling Haaland, Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes turned the game around before half-time.

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David Raya made a string of brilliant saves while a number of players put their bodies on the line in an attempt to hold on to the win. Stones' equaliser in the dying seconds meant the two teams couldn't be split in a pulsating clash.

"We had a very difficult start. We struggled to control certain spaces we didn’t have enough ability," Arteta added. "We adapted to that context in that best possible way.

"I’m so proud of them. You cannot be given a more difficult situation against that opponent and I’m so proud of my team."