Ben White has been ruled out for the remainder of Arsenal’s season after sustaining a significant medial collateral ligament injury in Sunday’s 1-0 win over West Ham, leaving Mikel Arteta with a serious right-back problem as the Gunners close in on their first Premier League title in 22 years.
We are two wins away. Burnley at home on Monday, Crystal Palace away on the final day, and the league is ours. It is the most exciting moment Arsenal supporters have experienced in over two decades and the squad has handled everything the run-in has thrown at them. And then a 50/50 challenge in the 28th minute at the London Stadium changes the picture entirely.
White went down after a challenge with West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville and did not return. Subsequent assessments confirmed a significant medial knee ligament injury. He played 13 of Arsenal’s last 14 games. He was one of the most reliable performers of the entire season. And now he is done.
Arsenal released a statement: “Further to Sunday’s match at West Ham United, subsequent assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed that Ben White has sustained a significant medial knee ligament injury, which will rule him out for the remainder of this season. Our medical team are now managing Ben’s recovery and rehabilitation programme, with everyone fully focused on supporting the aim of Ben being ready for the start of our pre-season preparations.”
Ben White injury and Arsenal right-back crisis in the title run-in
This is where it gets genuinely concerning. Arsenal’s right-back situation was already stretched before Sunday. Jurrien Timber, the first-choice option in that position, has been absent for the last 12 games following a groin injury sustained during Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Everton. No confirmed return date. White stepping in and starting 13 of 14 games since was holding the position together by sheer reliability.
Now both are gone. Cristian Mosquera is the only recognised right-back option Arteta has available, and even he does not play the position naturally. For the Burnley game on Monday, that is manageable. For the final day at Selhurst Park, it is a concern. Mosquera will be asked to hold down a position in games that could confirm the Premier League title, and that is a significant ask of a player who is still finding his feet in English football.
Arteta will find a solution. He always does. But let us not pretend this is anything other than a painful blow at the worst possible moment of the season.
Can Timber return in time to help Arsenal win the Premier League title?
The question now is whether Timber can be brought back to fitness before the final day. Twelve games out is a long time, and rushing a groin injury with only two games left carries its own risks. If Arteta believes Timber can contribute even 60 minutes at Selhurst Park without aggravating the problem, the temptation to include him will be enormous given what is at stake.
If not, it is Mosquera’s moment. Arsenal fans will back whoever is in that shirt when the whistle blows on the final day, because two wins is all that stands between this club and a first title since the Invincibles. A right-back injury, as unwelcome as it is, is not going to stop that.
Ben White injury impact on England’s World Cup squad
Away from Arsenal, the timing also creates a headache for Thomas Tuchel. White had been recalled to the England setup in March for the first time since the 2022 World Cup, a clear sign he was firmly back in the international picture heading into the summer tournament in North America.
Reece James is now expected to step back in as first choice at right-back for England, having returned to full fitness at Chelsea. Tino Livramento is also in contention but has missed the end of the Premier League season with a thigh injury, though he is expected to recover in time for the World Cup. The wider question is whether Tuchel now moves for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was included in the provisional 55-man squad submitted to FIFA on Monday but has not played for England since a qualifier against Andorra in June 2025. That conversation will define the next few weeks of England’s World Cup build-up.
For now though, the only thing that matters is Burnley on Monday. White is out. The title is still there. Let us go and get it.
Related Items:Latest Ben White News | Transfer News | Injury News and Update, Latest Mikel Arteta News | Transfer News | Injury News and Update
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