Arsenal defender Ben White has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after sustaining suspected medial collateral ligament (MCL) damage to his right knee. The injury also puts his participation in the upcoming World Cup with England in serious doubt.
Impact on Arsenal's Season
The 28-year-old will miss Arsenal's crucial Premier League run-in and the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 30. White was forced off in the first half of Arsenal's 1-0 victory over West Ham on Sunday. Manager Mikel Arteta admitted after the match that 'he doesn't look good at all'.
White's Injury-Plagued Campaign
White has made 30 appearances across all competitions this season, but only nine of those have been starts in the league. Four of those starts came in Arsenal's last five league matches, filling in for the injured Jurrien Timber. The defender's career has been marred by injuries over the past 18 months. He missed three months of the 2024-25 campaign following knee surgery and has endured several short-term absences this term.
World Cup Hopes Dashed
White's injury is a major blow to his hopes of representing England at the World Cup. He had recently ended his self-imposed exile from international football, but this setback is likely to rule him out of the tournament. The timing could not be worse for the defender, who was hoping to reclaim his place in Gareth Southgate's squad.
Arsenal's Remaining Fixtures
Arsenal face Burnley on May 18 before visiting Crystal Palace on May 24 on the final day of the Premier League season, as the club bids to end its 22-year title drought. They then face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final on May 30. White's absence will be a significant blow to Arteta's defensive options for these crucial matches.
