Arsenal defender Ben White limped off during the FA Cup game against Wigan, but Mikel Arteta admits the scale of the problems facing his team is a cause for concern.
Ben White limps off during win over Wigan
Ben White has moved to allay fears he could join Arsenal’s long-term injury list after being substituted in the FA Cup win over Wigan.
White was included in the starting XI against Mikel Arteta’s Ligue 1 team, which the Gunners won 4-0. However, he fell in the final stages and was unable to continue and was sent off.
This, along with the issues raised by Riccardo Calafioli during the warm-up, spoiled what had been a very positive day for Arsenal. Arteta admitted the absentee list was a cause for concern as his side aim for an unprecedented quadruple.
However, White indicated on social media that no action would be taken. He posted a photo of himself playing against Wigan with the caption: “Next game, no injuries.”
Make mirrors your first choice. Click here to enable or add us as a preferred source in your Google search settings
read more: Robin van Persie releases statement after Raheem Sterling is banned from training with his new teamread more: Ebelesi Eze gives Mikel Arteta a timely reminder as Arsenal beat Wigan in the FA Cup
The news will come as a relief to Arteta, who has seen a number of his key players in trouble in recent weeks. Mikel Merino is expected to miss the rest of the season, while Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard are also recovering from injuries.
“I used to be a striker, then I was a defender and now I’m a midfielder,” Arteta said after the win against Wigan.
“But we’re still dealing with it, but we need some players to come back and condition themselves to give us different options, not just in terms of numbers, but in relation to our opponents. So the faster the better.”
Ben White posts an update after Arsenal’s win over Wigan
Follow the Arsenal FB page! For the latest Gunners news and details, visit our dedicated Facebook page.
Arsenal return to Premier League action in midweek with a chance to rebuild their seven-point lead over Manchester City.
Arteta will then head to Molineux alongside Ebelesi Eze, who has returned to form after a difficult period for the England squad. Eze took some time to adapt following his big-money move from Crystal Palace in the summer, but he looked like a player growing in confidence, albeit against a lower-league side.
Asked if Sunday would be a confidence booster for Eze, Arteta said: “Yes, some great goals and his intentions, the risks he took in the final third and the number of shots he tried to take, I think that’s a really positive thing. That’s what I want from him.”
“Those players need those moments and especially when you talk about creative players, they need to feel like they’re creating those moments and I’m very happy with that. I’m also very happy with Gabi. His run, the timing of it and finishing with the action was really, really positive. So it’s really good for the atmosphere and for the confidence.”
Join our WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content daily. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Sky Sports Premier League and EFL package discounts
£49
£35
sky
Get the deal here
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 on their bill and offering more than 1,400 live matches from Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will broadcast at least 215 live Premier League games this season, with an increase of up to 100 more.
