DELPH BACK AT IT AGAIN

FLOP GUN: Arsene Wenger has lost his edge FABIAN DELPH’S switch to left-back as emergency cover for crocked Benjamin Mendy raised a few eyebrows outside Manchester City.

But Etihad midfielder Delph does not know what all the fuss is about having played in that position for previous clubs Leeds and Aston Villa.

And in training before Mendy ruptured a cruciate knee ligament in his right leg in September, Delph had practised hard at being a “leftie” in case he got boss Pep Guardiola’s vote to play there.

Delph, 27 (below) said: “Yes, I’d been playing left-back quite a lot in training towards the end of last season and at the start of this season.

“So I’m fairly comfortable there.

“When the opportunity came up to fill in, I was more than happy to give it a go. I played left-back for Leeds and Villa – just not as well as I have done for City.

“It’s different playing in that position in Pep’s team because it’s more central and I can drift inside and collect the ball, or I can stay out wide.

“I’m left-footed and the boss just thought I had the right attributes to do a job for him there. “It’s still a learning curve for me but, hopefully, I’ll keep improving at it as I go along.”

Delph, though, is wishing Mendy a speedy recovery with the former Monaco superstar sidelined long-term just two months after signing for £52million in the summer.

Mendy, 23, is targeting March for a return after extensive underwater treadmill exercises at The Etihad Campus, where he has also resumed kicking a ball after his knee operation.

Speaking about the France international, who played just five games before going down with his injury, Delph added: “He is a great lad and a joy to be around.

“He’s got a wonderful sense of humour and he’s made a huge impression at the club both on and off the pitch.

“I think he’ll come back stronger. I have had the same injury in the past so I know what he’s going through but, as I say, he’ll be back for us and better than ever.”