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Posted on May 19, 2026 3:00 am | Updated on May 18, 2026 7:20 pm
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Arsenal are entering the most important part of their season with growing injury problems in defence. Jurrien Timber is still not ready to return, while Ben White now looks set to miss the final matches of the campaign. Mikel Arteta suddenly faces a difficult decision before the title run and UCL final.
Ben White injury creates fresh problems for Arsenal
Ben White has been one of Arsenal’s most reliable players this season. The defender helped the team stay strong during the Premier League title race. He also played an important role in Arsenal reaching the Champions League final.
But things changed during Arsenal’s win against West Ham. According to Football London, White suffered a knee injury that is believed to be an MCL problem. This is a big blow for Arsenal. White had returned to top form in recent months. And now he might be out for the season.
For Arteta, the timing could not be worse. The Gunners are still fighting for the Premier League title. Meanwhile they are also preparing for a huge Champions League final against PSG later this month. Losing White means Arsenal suddenly look very short in defence.
Ben White’s stats across all competitions, as per FotMob:
Competitions Matches Goals Assists
Premier League 12 0 1
FA Cup 3 0 0
EFL Cup 4 1 0
Champions League 11 0 1
READ MORE: UEFA make major Champions League change favouring Arsenal.
Jurrien Timber still not close to return
According to FourFourTwo, Timber has not played for Arsenal since March after picking up a groin injury during the win over Everton. At first, many expected the Dutch defender to return quickly, but the recovery has taken much longer than planned.
According to FotMob News, Arteta recently admitted that the situation has become difficult to manage. He explained that the club did not expect Timber’s injury to keep him out for so long. The defender has still not returned to full training. He was seen with the coaching staff before the West Ham match. But did not take part in the training session.
Arteta also confirmed there is still uncertainty around whether Timber will play again this season. As confirmed by Arsenal, midfielder Mikel Merino is still recovering from injury. This adds to Arsenal’s problems during this key stage of the campaign. The UCL final is very close, and the club still do not know if Timber will be fit enough to help the team.
READ MORE: Ben White makes Arsenal transfer decision amid Everton interest.
Arsenal Injury: Arteta now faces a major decision
With both White and Jurrien Timber unavailable, Arteta must quickly decide who will play at right-back during the final matches of the season. Against West Ham, the Gunners first moved Declan Rice into defence after White’s injury. Martin Zubimendi then stepped into midfield. The plan worked for short periods before Arsenal couldn’t control the game.
There is a strong case for keeping Rice in midfield given his influence there. Cristhian Mosquera now looks like the most likely option. He replaced White against West Ham and is expected to start against Burnley. Riccardo Calafiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly are also possible choices.
Despite the injury problems, Arsenal are still in a strong position. The club are close to winning the Premier League title and still dream of becoming European champions for the first time. But the final weeks of the season may now depend on how well Arteta can handle these defensive injuries.
READ NEXT: Declan Rice beats Bruno Fernandes in shock FWA result.
Author’s Opinion
In my opinion, Arsenal have handled injuries well this season, but losing both White and Timber at the same time could be dangerous. Arteta now needs smart football tactical choices more than ever. The squad still has quality, but defensive balance could decide whether this season becomes historic or heartbreaking.
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Aarya Sikder
Aarya Sikder is a Football Writer at Six Sports, contributing articles on football match developments, player performances, and news from across the football world. His work focuses on delivering engaging and informative coverage that keeps readers updated on key events and emerging storylines in the sport. Through his contributions to Six Sports, Aarya provides match reports, tactical insights, and feature articles that highlight trends and narratives shaping football today. His writing combines clarity with accessible analysis, making it engaging for both casual fans and dedicated followers of the sport.
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