Ben White in training with Arsenal
Jordan Davies reports for The S*n that Mikel Arteta is considering putting Ben White straight back into the Arsenal squad for their next game, days after the right-back’s return to full training.
Davies writes that White is in contention to feature again, and though Arteta won’t take any unnecessary risks, he’s keen to have the player back on the bench against Leicester City next weekend.
White joined the squad for their first-team trip to Dubai this week. But unlike travelling injured stars Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, he’s also been pictured taking part in squad training sessions.
tottenham hotspur fc v arsenal fc premier league 13
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
The 27-year-old has been out of action since November with a knee injury, having to undergo surgery.
Given White was such a key member of Arsenal’s defence for the last couple of seasons, his absence could have been very costly. It’s only because Jurrien Timber has played such a consistent role since his return from an ACL injury that the Gunners have managed to muddle through.
But Arteta won’t want to put Timber under any more physical strain than he needs to. Having Timber and White available will hopefully ease the pressure on both of them.
BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Jurrien Timber of Arsenal passes the ball during the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Arsenal FC at the Brentford Community Stadium on January 01, 2025 in Brentford, England.
Ideally, Arsenal would also have Takehiro Tomiyasu as an option. Not just at right-back, but with all three defenders also capable of playing at centre-back, allowing William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes more rest days.
It doesn’t seem like Tomiyasu is particularly close to a comeback, however. The Japan international hasn’t been pictured in Dubai, with no word on exactly how much longer he’ll be out.
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