Arsenal defender Ben White out for ‘months’ after knee surgery
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal defender Ben White is going to be out for “months” after undergoing a procedure on his knee during the international break.
White played the full game in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea before the break but he has been dealing with multiple issues since the start of the season.
The 27-year-old has been a virtual ever-present when fit over the past two seasons but he started on the bench against Manchester City in September and then missed the next two fixtures.
Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey have played at right back in his absence and Arteta will now need to call on the duo during a busy festive schedule.
“Ben is gonna be out for months, unfortunately,” Arteta said on Friday. “It’s been different kinds of struggles. It’s never been the same thing. We had to make a decision. It’s not been improving in the last few weeks, unfortunately.
“We know that Ben is going to push every boundary but it got to a point where we have to protect the player and we decided to do the surgery. He agreed with that and unfortunately, that’s going to keep him out for a few months.”
Arteta could not confirm exactly how long White will be missing for. “I don’t know at the moment,” the Spaniard said. “We have to see how he reacts post-surgery. I don’t expect him to be half a year, but I cannot tell you exactly.”
There was better news on some other fitness doubts, including Leandro Trossard who picked up a hamstring injury on international duty with Belgium, and England duo Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka who stayed at Arsenal after hobbling off against Chelsea.
“Trossard seems to be OK,” Arteta added. “He trained this morning and he seems to be feeling good. We will assess everything with the doctor right now. But that’s good.
“Bukayo and Declan as well. They had the first partial session today. So, very good as well.”
White’s absence may be mitigated with the return of left-back Riccardo Calafiori, who is also fighting to be in contention after missing five games with a knee injury.
“Riccy trained today,” he said. “His rehab has gone really well. He was able to do certain things last week with the physios. He trained on the pitch this week, he trained with us today as well. He will be in the squad.”
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Arsenal defender Ben White is going to be out for “months” after undergoing a procedure on his knee during the international break. White played the full game in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea before the break but he has been dealing with multiple issues since the...
www.nytimes.com
in fan base waffling, the guy in video sounds like some of the excuse merchants in this thread
. In their prime? 
