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England boss casts doubt on Arteta’s injury update

England manager Thomas Tuchel has cast doubt on Mikel Arteta’s injury update on Ben White, with the national manager suggesting the right-back is still injured.

Ben White of Arsenal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Arsenal FC and Chelsea FC at Emirates Stadium on September 06, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Mikel Arteta had offered a positive update on Ben White in his pre-Brighton & Hove Albion press conference, but England manager Thomas Tuchel has cast doubt on the situation.

Following Arteta’s comments that “Ben is all good”, Tuchel gave a very different assessment in relation to the upcoming international break.

“Ben pulled out with an injury,” Tuchel claimed. “He’s had a fantastic start with Arsenal to the season. He was back to his very best on the [right] side as a pair with Bukayo Saka which could be very valuable to us.

“But he was unfortunately not available for for the World Cup and he is not available now.”

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Thomas Tuchel, England's head coach, attends a press conference at Wembley Stadium on March 14, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

If White is indeed unavailable for England due to injury, then that would also rule him out of the Brighton game on Saturday.

In possible further evidence that Arsenal’s defensive injury situation hasn’t entirely cleared up, youth defenders Marli Salmon, Jaden Dixon, and Marcell Washington were all seemingly held back from the u21 squad on Friday.

Arsenal may have held the trio back as a precautionary measure, but it’s also possible Arteta may have to call on one or more of his academy players if his senior defenders aren’t fit.

Ben White of Arsenal FC during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between SSC Napoli and Arsenal FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on September 09, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images

As well as White, Arsenal fans are also sweating on the fitness of Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie, with William Saliba definitely ruled out.

Jurrien Timber appears to be fine though, particularly as he’s been included in the Netherlands’ squad for the international break.

Jurrien Timber of Arsenal scores a goal which is alter disallowed during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Sunderland and Arsenal FC at Stadium of Light on September 12, 2026 in Sunderland, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
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