Arsenal dealt blow as Mikel Arteta confirms star player is set to be 'out for months'
Arsenal have seemingly been dealt a huge blow, with Mikel Arteta confirming that Ben White will be out for months due to injury. The right-back has been sidelined with a knee problem after featuring for the Gunners in their latest 1-1 Premier League draw with Chelsea (November 10).
Now, the English defender will be out for months, which is a major cause for concern, given the issues in the full-back area. Riccardo Calafiori has missed the last few games due to injury, which has seen Jurrien Timber fill in at left-back.
Should Arteta wish to continue to use the Dutchman in the same position, he cannot turn to Takehiro Tomiyasu, who is nursing a knee problem.
Speaking ahead of Arsenal's match against Nottingham Forest on Saturday (November 23), the Spanish tactician said about White (via @afcstuff on X):
"Ben White is going to be out for months, unfortunately.”
It looks like Arteta will have to turn to Oleksandr Zinchenko to fill in at left-back and move Timber over to the right-hand side. Either way, injuries continue to pile on at the Emirates, with Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice's availability unsure at the moment.
Whatever the case, the north London outfit need to pick up three points in their next match, as they're currently placed fourth in the Premier League standings. To make matters worse, Arsenal are nine points short of the leaders Liverpool after 11 matches.
White has made 12 appearances across competitions this campaign, bagging an assist.
Stan Collymore slams Arsenal for selling midfielder in the summer amid injury crisis
Arsenal have had issues in midfield in recent weeks due to the absence of Martin Odegaard. The Norway international spent about two months on the sidelines recovering from an ankle injury.
Without a natural replacement in the area, pundit Stan Collymore believes that the Gunners could have turned to Emile Smith Rowe in this situation. However, Mikel Arteta and Co. decided to sell the academy product to Fulham in the summer for a reported fee of €31.8 million.
Speaking to Metro, Collymore said (via Just Arsenal):
"Especially with the injury to Martin Odegaard, Smith Rowe could’ve slotted into that position.”
Smith Rowe has done well since moving to Craven Cottage, bagging three goals and two assists in 11 Premier League appearances. Luckily for the Gunners, Odegaard is back from injury and will be expected to feature in their home tie against Nottingham Forest this weekend.