Arsenal’s Ben White Set for Extended Absence: What It Means for the Gunners
Arsenal fans, brace yourselves. The Gunners have been dealt a significant blow in their pursuit of Premier League glory this season. Mikel Arteta confirmed on Friday that defender Ben White is set to miss months of action due to a combination of injuries. This news comes as a gut punch for a team already battling to keep pace in the title race.
White, 27, underwent a knee operation earlier in November, according to ESPN sources. However, it appears that the road to recovery will be far from straightforward. Arteta revealed that White is facing an extended spell on the sidelines and may require additional surgeries. For a team sitting fourth in the Premier League table, nine points behind leaders Liverpool, this is a setback they could ill afford.
Arteta Speaks Out on White’s Struggles
Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Arteta shed light on White’s condition. “Ben is going to be out for months. It’s been different kinds of struggles. It’s never been the same thing,” Arteta explained. “It’s not been improving. It got to a point where we have to protect the player and let him have surgery. Unfortunately, it’s going to be a few months. We have to see how he reacts post-surgery.”
White’s absence is particularly frustrating given his importance to the squad. The defender started Arsenal’s final game before the international break—a 1-1 draw with Chelsea. However, he has already missed significant time this season, including key matches against Newcastle United and Manchester City, as well as being unavailable for the Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.
Defensive Woes Pile Up
Unfortunately for Arsenal, White isn’t the only defender on the injury list. Takehiro Tomiyasu is also sidelined with a recurrence of a knee injury. Arteta confirmed that Tomiyasu will be out for the foreseeable future, further depleting Arsenal’s defensive options.
While the Gunners have depth in their squad, the timing of these injuries couldn’t be worse. Arsenal are in desperate need of results to keep their title hopes alive. They currently trail reigning champions Manchester City by four points and face an uphill battle to close the gap on Liverpool at the top of the table.
Some Good News on the Injury Front
It’s not all doom and gloom for Arsenal, though. Key players like Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, and Leandro Trossard have returned to training. These players had either withdrawn from international duty due to injury concerns or picked up knocks while representing their countries. Their availability will be crucial as Arsenal look to navigate a challenging stretch of fixtures.
What’s Next for Arsenal?
With White and Tomiyasu out, Arteta will need to rely on the rest of his squad to step up. The Gunners host Nottingham Forest this weekend in a must-win game. Dropping points at this stage of the season could prove costly, especially with Liverpool and Manchester City showing no signs of slowing down.
Here’s a quick breakdown of Arsenal’s current situation:
- Premier League Standing: Fourth place, nine points behind Liverpool.
- Key Injuries: Ben White (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee).
- Upcoming Match: Nottingham Forest at home.
- Returning Players: Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, Leandro Trossard.
Arsenal fans will be hoping that the team can rally in the face of adversity. With the title race heating up, every point matters. The Gunners have shown resilience in the past, and they’ll need every ounce of it to stay in contention this season.
For now, all eyes will be on Arteta and his ability to adapt. Can Arsenal overcome their defensive crisis and keep their title dreams alive? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the road ahead won’t be easy.
Originally Written by: Gab Marcotti
