Jamie Redknapp calls out ‘one of the strangest decisions I’ve seen this season’ in West Ham and Arsenal clash

Jamie Redknapp has questioned Arsenal’s decision to move Declan Rice to right-back during their Premier League clash with West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday.

Ben White was forced out of the match in the capital, with the right-back injured following a collision with Crysencio Summerville.

Despite having two defenders on the bench, however, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta opted to move Rice out of position.

Instead of calling on either Cristhian Mosquera or Piero Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi was introduced to the fray instead.

Rice has been sensational for Arsenal this season.

Yet playing him out of position, in a game of such enormous magnitude, has raised eyebrows.

Arteta has, to his credit, already rectified his mistake by bringing on Mosquera and reverting Rice back to his original position.

Jamie Redknapp has questioned Arsenal’s decision to move Declan Rice to right-back during their Premier League clash with West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday

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Nonetheless, speaking at half-time, Redknapp expressed his shock in no uncertain terms.

“Playing Rice at right back was one of the strangest decisions I’ve seen this season,” he said.

“I couldn’t get my head around it.”

Ben White was forced out of the match between West Ham and Arsenal

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Arsenal started the better of the two teams, with West Ham goalkeeper Mads Hermansen called into action.

But their momentum dipped when Rice moved to full-back, with the Hammers ending the half the stronger of the two sides.

For White, the Arsenal defender now faces an anxious wait to learn the severity of his injury.

The former Brighton star has been a key player for Arteta this term and, with the north London titans in the Champions League final, will be dreaming of silverware.

He’s also returned to the international scene with England, too, as next month’s World Cup approaches.

Yet White looked emotional after his withdrawal, suggesting his campaign may have ended prematurely.

Declan Rice moved to right-back for Arsenal against West Ham on Sunday

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Redknapp wasn’t the only pundit astonished by Arteta’s decision to move things around after White’s substitution.

Gary Neville remarked: “I’m stunned.

“Taking him out of the middle of the pitch is a big call.”

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.”

A point would be disappointing for Arsenal. Should Manchester City win their game in hand against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, Pep Guardiola’s men will move level on points at the summit.