Gary Neville ‘stunned’ by Mikel Arteta’s response to Ben White injury

Rice has filled in at right back before for Arsenal, including the 2-1 win over Brighton in the Premier League this season when both White and Jurrien Timber, as well as Mosquera and Hincapie, were unavailable.

But former Manchester United defender Neville questioned the logic of moving Rice out of central midfield. “I'm stunned,” Neville said on Sky Sports. “Taking him out of the middle of the pitch is a big call.”

And after being close to taking the lead in a dominant start at the London Stadium, Arsenal’s changes were followed by West Ham growing into the game. Arsenal had 10 shots in the opening 22 minutes of the game, but West Ham finished the half as the stronger of the two sides.

Former Arsenal striker Ian Wright agreed that Arsenal lost their “momentum” after White’s injury. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Redknapp added: “Arsenal lost momentum when Rice went to right back. They lost a physical presence in the middle of the pitch with Zubimendi coming on.”