Arsenal’s Tenacious Tackle: Mikel Arteta Reveals Ben White’s Brave Gamble Against Manchester City
Arsenal’s impressive point against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday was all the more impressive given the injury woes suffered by defender Ben White, who gamely played on despite being hurt.
And it was revealed by coach Mikel Arteta in his post-match presser that White, 26, refused to be withdrawn from the action, a testament to his dedication to the cause.
"It shows the type of character that Ben White has," said Arteta. "He would run through a brick wall for you."
White came on as a substitute at halftime, replacing Bukayo Saka, and made an immediate impact, as Arsenal came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw against Pep Guardiola’s men.
Gabriel Martinelli’s decisive header gave the Gunners the lead, but Man City struck back in added time to snatch a draw, as John Stones struck a stunning equalizer to send the game into stalemate.
Arsenal had started the game with left-back Ricardo Calafiori, but the arrival of White brought some stability to the backline.
"We’re okay with doing it [shuffling the backline]," Arteta explained. "We’ve done it with different players, and we have faith in the players we have. It gives us something different."
Arsenal now have 11 points from their opening five league matches, an impressive start that suggests the Gunners can challenge for a top-six finish.
And it was a character-building win against Man City, as White’s brave performance exemplifies the fighting spirit that Mikel Arteta demands of his players.
As Arsenal continue to navigate the toughest league in the world, fans will be thrilled by the determination and resilience of their side.
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