Arsenal receive a timely boost ahead of their game against Leicester with Ben White to be included in the squad.
Ben White is in line to make his return for Arsenal this weekend after nearly three months on the sidelines with a knee injury. The 27-year-old defender has resumed full training and will be in the squad for Saturday’s match against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium.
Asked about White’s availability, Mikel Arteta confirmed: “Yes, Ben has been training more regularly now so we still have to manage his load a lot but he’s going to be available yes.”
White, who travelled with the squad to Dubai during the recent break, was one of several injured Arsenal players working on their recovery in the Middle East.
But unlike Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, who were also present but limited to individual sessions, White was pictured fully involved in first-team training.
His return could not be better timed.
Despite his prolonged absence, Arsenal’s defence has remained largely solid, thanks in part to the performances of Jurrien Timber. The Dutchman has played a crucial role since returning from an ACL injury, helping to cover for White’s absence and ensuring that Arsenal’s backline has not been too heavily disrupted.
However, with fixtures piling up, Arteta will be wary of overloading Timber.
White’s return provides a vital option, allowing Arsenal to rotate more effectively, not just at right-back, but across the backline.
Ideally, Arteta would also have Takehiro Tomiyasu available to complete his defensive rotation. The Japan international offers depth across multiple positions, including centre-back, providing the chance to give both William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães well-managed minutes.
But with reports indicating that Tomiyasu is set for yet another knee operation, Arsenal will likely have to make do without him for the remainder of the season.
While White’s return is a boost, as he said, Arteta will ease him back into action, ensuring that his workload is carefully managed.
Given Arsenal’s injury struggles, getting White fit and available for the remainder of the season will be a massive boost.