According to BBC Sport, Ben White is facing at least four weeks on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Wolves.
Having not featured in the Premier League since the first weekend, the 28-year-old was starting a third consecutive game in the competition in the space of 10 days when he limped off. He had also started the Champions League win over Club Brugge in midweek.
The news will be as disappointing for the player as it is for his manager, especially with games coming every three days over the festive period and beyond.
White missed a big chunk of last season after undergoing knee surgery in November 2024 and struggled for rhythm when he returned to provide cover for Jurrien Timber in the closing months.
While William Saliba’s return after two weeks out has eased some of the Gunners’ injury concerns, and Riccardo Calafiori will be available again after suspension, they remain without Gabriel Magalhaes and Cristhian Mosquera.
Elsewhere, there are rumours that Kai Havertz, who hasn’t featured since the opening game of the campaign at Manchester United, is hoping to make his return before the end of the year. Max Dowman is the other long-term absentee, having suffered ankle ligament damage that will rule him out for at least another month.