The Athletic report this afternoon that Ben White’s season is over after picking a knee injury against West Ham on Sunday afternoon.
The Arsenal right back has suffered a suspected MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) strain, and will now miss the final two Premier League fixtures and the Champions League final.
It’s a big blow for a player who has struggled with injury in the last 18 months, but who was playing regularly in the absence of Jurrien Timber and who looked like he was rediscovering some form.
It’s also a problem for Mikel Arteta who will now be hoping the Netherlands international can make a return from a tricky groin issue to add depth to a key position, with so much still at stake.
As it stands, Cristhian Mosquera is the most natural option, and he is more a centre-half than a full-back, with 27 of his 32 appearances this season coming in the middle of the defence rather than out wide.
White had made 30 appearances this season until Sunday’s injury, and having been recalled to the England squad by Thomas Tuchel, a potential inclusion for the World Cup now seems extremely unlikely.
We wish him a speedy recovery.