Arsenal fans want Mikel Arteta to rest two players ahead of Manchester City clash

Arsenal fans are hoping that Mikel Arteta rests two of his regular starters, as the Premier League leaders gear up for the huge game with Manchester City.

It was a rare defeat for Arsenal at the weekend, as they lost for just the second time in the league this season to a rejuvenated Everton side.

There could be no complaints for Arteta and his team as they were second best to Sean Dyche's side, with Amadou Onana in particularly inspired form.

It looked like the loss would lead to some real pressure on the Gunners, knowing a win for City later in the weekend would split the gap at the top of the table down to two points.

However, there was relief all round at the Emirates Stadium when Pep Guardiola's side lost to Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, thanks to Harry Kane's record breaking goal.

It's not too often Arsenal fans will have been happy to see their local rivals wins but with their own team soon facing their title rivals, it was the perfect result.

With that game between Arsenal and City to come on February 15th, fans of the north Londoners have taken to social media to ask Arteta to consider resting Ben White and Gabriel Martinelli for the upcoming game against Brentford at the weekend.

"Leandro Trossard and Takehiro Tomiyasu should start against Brentford. Martinelli needs an actual rest and Ben White hasn’t been at his best. Gotta rotate," one fan said.

"Ben White at right back was an experiment that worked for longer than we all expected but right now it’s over," a second added, "It’s on the manager to realise this and not be so stubborn.

White was not at his best against Everton. Image: Alamy

"Same way Martinelli has been carried for weeks. Two players that cannot start next weekend."

A third also wanted to see Trossard and Tomiyasu play, posting, "I think it's time for Martinelli and White to rest a few fixtures. Let Trossard and Tomi play to get some minutes in their legs."

A fourth thought the pair looked tired during the loss to Everton, opining, "Hopefully he gives White and Martinelli a few days off, they look knackered."

"Tomiyasu has to start against Brentford, White has been dead last two games," another chipped in with, "Rotation is needed, as well as Trossard over Martinelli."

Trossard was signed from Brighton in January, after the club missed out on Mykhailo Mudryk, and had a great debut vs Manchester United.

Tomiyasu was the first choice right back last season but found himself replaced by White at the start of the current campaign, with the former centre back excelling in the role.