Arsenal’s preparations for their upcoming Premier League clash with Leeds United have taken a worrying turn after Ben White, Christian Nørgaard and Kai Havertz were all absent from the club’s open training session at the Emirates Stadium this morning. The trio’s absence has sparked concern that they could be unavailable for selection in what is a crucial fixture for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The open training, which was attended by fans and media, is often a good indicator of player availability heading into matchday. While absences do not always confirm injuries, they usually point towards potential fitness concerns, late knocks, or precautionary measures by the medical team. For Arsenal, the timing is far from ideal, with the Gunners fighting to maintain momentum in the Premier League run-in.
**Ben White’s absence raises defensive questions**
Ben White has been a consistent presence in Arsenal’s backline, offering versatility in both central defence and at right-back. Should he miss out against Leeds, it would force Arteta to reshuffle his defence, possibly moving Jurrien Timber into the starting XI. White’s ability to balance defensive solidity with progression in possession makes him a difficult player to replace.
**Christian Nørgaard’s situation unclear**
Since joining Arsenal, Nørgaard has added valuable midfield depth and tactical flexibility. His absence at training is unexpected, given he has been working his way into Arteta’s rotation. If the Danish international is unavailable, it could push more responsibility onto the likes of Declan Rice, Zubimendi or young star Myles Lewis-Skelly to step up against a physical Leeds midfield. Losing Nørgaard would reduce Arsenal’s options for control in the middle of the park.
**Kai Havertz could be the biggest miss**
Kai Havertz ability to float between midfield and attack has given the Gunners an extra dimension, particularly in matches where space is tight. Without him, Arteta will obviously start new striker Gyokeres.
**Arteta faces big decisions**
While nothing has been officially confirmed regarding the status of White, Nørgaard and Havertz, their absence from training is a clear warning sign that Arsenal could be forced into changes. Arteta will hope that at least one or two of the trio are passed fit before matchday, but if not, it will test the squad’s depth once again at a crucial stage of the campaign.
**Conclusion**
Arsenal’s clash with Leeds already looked like an important fixture, but the possible absence of Ben White, Christian Nørgaard and Kai Havertz could make it even more challenging. With the title race and top-four battle heating up, every point matters — and Arteta will be desperate for positive news from the medical team in the hours leading up to kickoff.
Continue Reading