Arsenal star undergoes minor surgery, set to be out of action for around 8 weeks: Reports
Arsenal have seemingly suffered yet another setback on the fitness front as defender Ben White reportedly underwent a minor surgery. According to Con Harrison, the English right-back is set to miss eight weeks of action (via @afcstuff on X).
This is a huge blow for the Gunners, who have been battling with injury concerns for a while now. Martin Odegaard only returned to the starting XI for the first time in two months during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea (November 10).
In the same match, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were forced off, casting doubts over their fitness as well. The right-back position is, however, a big cause for concern due to the unavailability of second-choice Takehiro Tomiyasu.
On top of that, current left-back Jurrien Timber cannot be shifted to the right side, with Riccardo Calafiori yet to return from injury. The only way the Dutchman can fill in for White is if Mikel Arteta opts to deploy Jakub Kiwior at left-back.
White is going to be a huge miss, particularly because of his relationship with Saka down the right-hand side. So far this campaign, the defender has made 12 appearances across competitions for the Gunners, bagging an assist in the process.
Arsenal have also been struggling for form in having to contend with these injuries. They haven't won any of their last four Premier League matches, which sees them fourth in the standings and nine points adrift of table-toppers Liverpool.
Once the international break is concluded, the Gunners face Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium on November 23.
Mikel Arteta pinpoints injuries as a reason for Arsenal's poor performances
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said that injuries were a reason for his team's performance after their draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Sunday. The Gunners weren't particularly good in this tie, as they managed four fewer attempts than the Blues.
After the game, Arteta wished that he'd have his full squad after the current international break. Speaking about this to the press, the Spaniard said (via Sky Sports):
"What I'm praying for is that after the international break we have the team fully physically equipped, that they are available and that they are fit, because, it's been a nightmare for eight weeks."
Arsenal went winless in four top-flight matches for the first time since April 2023. Despite his wishes, it looks unlikely that Arteta will have his full team to work with following the international break.