EPL: Arsenal face defensive blow as Ben White undergoes knee surgery

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that defender Ben White will be sidelined for an extended period following knee surgery during the international break.

Speaking from the Sobha Realty Training Centre on Friday, ahead of Saturday’s match against Nottingham Forest, Arteta explained that White’s surgery was necessitated by ongoing fitness struggles throughout the season.

The decision, according to Arteta, was taken collaboratively to prioritise White’s long-term health.

“Ben is going to be out for months,” Arteta stated candidly. “It’s been different kinds of struggles, but we had to protect him. He agreed, and it was the right decision.”

While the manager refrained from giving a specific timeline for the England international’s return, he expressed cautious optimism about the recovery process.

“I don’t expect him to be out for half a season or a year, but I cannot say exactly,” he added.

A statement on the club’s website on Friday acknowledged White’s injury as a significant setback for Arsenal, given his pivotal role in the defence. Since joining the club in 2021, White has been a dependable figure, missing only five of 114 league matches.

Arteta recognised the impact of White’s absence but expressed confidence in the depth of his squad.

“This is football; challenges come, and we adapt,” Arteta said. He added that while defensive options are currently stretched, the return to fitness of players like Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Riccardo Calafiori is reassuring.

“We have capable players who can step in and contribute,” he remarked.

Further injury updates painted a mixed picture for Arsenal. Left-back Kieran Tierney remains unavailable despite resuming partial training, and versatile defender Takehiro
Tomiyasu will also be sidelined for several weeks.

However, Arteta offered positive news on Leandro Trossard and Jurrien Timber, who are both back in contention, providing crucial reinforcements to the squad.

Arteta stressed the importance of maintaining momentum during a busy period leading up to the New Year.

“The energy has been unbelievable,” he said, reflecting on the atmosphere in training. “The players love being back, and that brings positivity. We’ll go all out at the Emirates tomorrow.”

Arsenal, aiming to sustain their title challenge, will need to rely on the squad’s collective resilience to navigate this period. With Nottingham Forest presenting a tricky test, Arteta’s focus remains on delivering consistent performances despite the challenges.