Arsenal's Ben White is set for an extended absence after undergoing knee surgery, with manager Mikel Arteta confirming the full-back will be sidelined for several months. White has struggled with injury problems throughout the season, missing five matches across all competitions. Despite his best efforts to continue playing, the knee issue persisted until the November international break, prompting the decision to opt for surgery.
Arteta revealed that the knee injury was not a single, consistent issue, but a series of complications that ultimately led to the need for surgery. "It has been different kinds of struggles," Arteta explained. "It has never been the same thing, but we had to make a decision." The procedure was successful, but Arteta confirmed that White will be out for a significant period of time, although he doesn't expect the recovery to take as long as six months.
This injury comes as a considerable blow to Arsenal, as White has been a key player in their defense this season. His presence has been invaluable, with only Thomas Partey having made more interceptions in the Premier League for the club. Arteta emphasized the importance of protecting White's long-term health, with the player himself agreeing that surgery was the best option to address the issue. "He agreed with that and it is going to keep him out for a few months," Arteta said.
White's absence adds to the challenges Arteta faces in his defensive lineup, particularly in the full-back positions. With Takehiro Tomiyasu also set to miss some time due to injury, Arteta will need to find solutions to maintain defensive stability. However, there is some positive news ahead of Arsenal’s match against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium. Both Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, who missed England's international fixtures due to injury, are expected to be fit for the upcoming match. Leandro Trossard, who had been dealing with a hamstring issue, will also be available for selection, and Riccardo Calafiori is expected to return after recovering from a knee injury that kept him sidelined for a month.
As Arsenal looks to continue their strong start to the season, Arteta will have to adjust his defensive plans without White, while relying on the return of key players to maintain momentum in the Premier League.
