Arsenal Defender Ben White Faces Lengthy Absence After Knee Surgery

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Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal's Ben White will be sidelined for several months due to a knee injury. White, who has been dealing with various issues throughout the season, has already missed five matches across all competitions. The decision for surgery was made after he continued to struggle until the November international break.

This injury is a significant setback for Arteta, as White has been crucial in defence, with only Thomas Partey making more interceptions than him in the Premier League this season. Although the surgery was successful, White faces an extended period away from the pitch. Arteta stated, "It has been different kinds of struggles. It has never been the same thing, but we had to make a decision."

Arteta further explained that despite White's determination to overcome his injuries, it became necessary to protect him by opting for surgery. "He agreed with that and it is going to keep him out for a few months," Arteta added. When asked about a specific recovery timeline, he mentioned uncertainty but did not expect it to be as long as six months.

The full-back position remains a concern for Arteta as Takehiro Tomiyasu is also set to miss some time due to injury. However, there is some positive news ahead of their match against Nottingham Forest at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are expected to be fit after missing England's international fixtures.

Leandro Trossard will also be available despite suffering a hamstring issue during Belgium's international break. Additionally, Riccardo Calafiori is likely to return after being sidelined for a month with a knee injury.

As Arsenal prepares for their upcoming match, these updates provide both challenges and reliefs for Arteta's squad selection. The team will need to adapt defensively while welcoming back key players in other areas of the pitch.