Arsenal's Ben White has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a significant knee injury, dealing a major blow to the club's pursuit of a Premier League and Champions League double.
The 28-year-old defender limped off during the first half of Arsenal's crucial 1-0 victory over West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday, leaving with a brace on his right knee. Manager Mikel Arteta admitted after the match that the injury "didn't look good at all," and subsequent assessments have confirmed the worst.
An Arsenal statement read: "Further to Sunday’s match at West Ham, 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."
White's absence will see him miss Arsenal's final two Premier League games against Burnley and Crystal Palace, as well as the Champions League final against Paris St Germain on May 30. The injury also casts doubt on his World Cup hopes, having recently ended a four-year international exile by appearing in England's matches against Uruguay and Japan.
Arteta now faces a selection headache at right-back, with Jurrien Timber also sidelined for two months with a groin problem. Cristhian Mosquera is expected to deputise, while Declan Rice has also filled in as an emergency right-back this season.
