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Mikel Arteta explains why he brought off Martin Zubimendi after subbing him on for injured Ben…

Beyond the tactical headache, Arteta confirmed that the substitution of Calafiori was also enforced.

The Italian defender was replaced by Mosquera at half-time, leaving Arsenal with a makeshift backline for much of the second period at the London Stadium.

"Richy [Calafiori] felt something and we couldn't take the risk," Arteta revealed. With Ben White’s knee injury described as "not looking good", the Arsenal boss is facing a potential defensive selection crisis at the worst possible time.

"We are thin in those positions now, but the attitude and the courage of the players who stepped in-especially Mosquera and [Myles] Lewis-Skelly-was outstanding under huge pressure," he said.

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