Ben White injury
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Arsenal defender Ben White has been left out of the matchday squad for Tuesday’s Premier League clash against Fulham, while Bukayo Saka has been deemed fit enough to make the bench after a four-month injury layoff.
White has struggled with fitness issues throughout the season but made a return prior to the international break. However, the defender has not started a match since November. Arsenal confirmed his absence in their team news post on X, simply stating: “Ben White misses out.”
The 26-year-old was an unused substitute in Arsenal’s recent matches against Manchester United and Chelsea before the two-and-a-half-week hiatus. Speaking before the match, manager Mikel Arteta provided an update on White’s condition.
“He had a little niggle two days ago,” Arteta explained. “Yesterday we tried, but he wasn’t feeling right, so we decided not to put him in the squad today.”
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White has made just 16 appearances this season, having missed nearly three months due to a knee injury that required surgery. His minutes have been carefully managed since his return. He only featured briefly in February’s matches against Nottingham Forest and West Ham. In his absence, Jurrien Timber starts at full-back.
💬 ”He had a little niggle two days ago. Yesterday we tried, he wasn’t feeling right, so we decided not to put him in the squad today.”
Mikel provides an update on Ben White. pic.twitter.com/UaSryDuEtN
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 1, 2025
Elsewhere in the squad, Ethan Nwaneri starts on the right as Saka is eased back into action. Gabriel Martinelli occupies the left wing, with Mikel Merino continuing up front.
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Arsenal’s midfield is at full strength, with Declan Rice partnering Thomas Partey and Martin Ødegaard. Myles Lewis-Skelly starts at left-back in place of Riccardo Calafiori, who has been ruled out for several weeks with an injury.
In defense, David Raya starts in goal behind William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhães, who retains his usual spot. Academy midfielder Jim Gower, 20, is named on the bench.
Saka is now being reintegrated following his lengthy absence due to a hamstring injury sustained in December against Crystal Palace.
Arsenal will look to close the gap to league leaders Liverpool to nine points, at least temporarily. The Reds face Everton on Wednesday in the second Merseyside derby of the season at Anfield.
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