Ben White was forced off the field with an injury during the first half of Arsenal’s Premier League match against West Ham on Sunday and is expected to miss the World Cup.
Ben White injured against West Ham (Image: Stuart MacFarlane, Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Ben White has been ruled out of the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain and is expected to miss the World Cup. White was sent off early in Sunday’s match between Arsenal and West Ham after colliding with Crisencio Somerville.
White suffered an MCL (medial collateral ligament) injury in his knee and is likely to miss out on England this summer. At the weekend, the right-back was replaced by Martin Zvimendi after the half-hour mark, with Declan Rice moving to right-back.
The Athletic reports that the full severity of the injury is still being evaluated, but initial evaluation suggests White has sustained right knee ligament damage, and early diagnostics indicate a possible MCL injury. As a result, he will miss the remainder of the season.
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The 28-year-old was seen leaving the London Stadium with a brace on his knee after the 1-0 win against the Hammers. It has been confirmed that he will not be able to play in the Champions League final against holders PSG in Budapest on May 30th.
After the game, Mikel Arteta gave reporters a worrying update on White. He said, “I don’t know, but it doesn’t look like his condition is good at all. He will need to be tested.”
Meanwhile, Arteta told Sky Sports that the forced substitution was a “difficult” turning point in the match. He added: “We knew it was going to be a tough day, they were fighting for their lives and we were trying to win the Premier League.
“Then Ben got injured, so we had to change and adapt and we had to make some difficult decisions. We did everything we could to win.”
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Julian Timber has also been sidelined since March with an ankle problem, leaving Arteta with a selection dilemma. White has made 30 appearances in all competitions this season, but has only started nine in the Premier League.
He has featured in Arsenal’s last five games, including both games in the Champions League semi-final win over Atletico Madrid. Cristian Mosquera seems the most likely option to slot in at right-back for the final in Budapest.
Losing White is a serious setback. Not only because of the form he has shown, but also because of his rejuvenated partnership with Bukayo Saka, who has breathed new life into Arsenal’s right flank. Given the circumstances, Mosquera will likely start the remaining three games.
Ben White’s season appears to be over (Image: ADRIAN DENNIS, AFP via Getty Images)
The Spaniard, who joined last summer for around £15 million, attracted attention, earning a senior call-up to the Spain squad and attracting the attention of manager Luis de la Fuente ahead of the World Cup. Alongside Timber, Mikel Merino also remains sidelined, while Riccardo Calafioli picked up a new injury over the weekend.
It remains to be seen whether either will return before the end of the Premier League campaign on May 24. Arsenal return to action next Monday when they welcome relegated Burnley to the Emirates Stadium (8pm).
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