Arsenal have been dealt a significant blow as defender Ben White has been ruled out of the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain and is now a serious doubt for the World Cup. White sustained an MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) injury to his knee during the first half of Arsenal's Premier League clash with West Ham on Sunday.
The 28-year-old right-back was forced off the pitch shortly before the half-hour mark after a collision with Crysensio Summerville. Declan Rice moved across to right-back to cover for his absence. The Athletic reports that the full severity of the injury is still being evaluated, but initial assessments indicate right knee ligament damage, with early diagnosis pointing to suspected MCL damage. Consequently, White will miss the remainder of the season.
White was spotted leaving the London Stadium wearing a knee brace following Arsenal's 1-0 victory over West Ham. It is understood he will be unavailable for the Champions League final against holders PSG in Budapest on 30 May. Mikel Arteta, speaking to reporters after the match, offered a worrying update: "We don't know, but it does not look good at all. He will need testing."
Arteta described the enforced substitution as a 'difficult' turning point in the match. Speaking to Sky Sports, he added: "We knew it was going to be tough day; they are fighting for their lives and we are trying to win the Premier League. Then the injury of Ben, we had to make a change and adapt, we had to make difficult decisions. We threw everything we had to try and win it."
With Jurrien Timber also sidelined since March due to an ankle problem, Arteta faces a considerable selection headache. White has appeared 30 times across all competitions this season but has managed just nine Premier League starts. He had featured in Arsenal's last five fixtures, including both legs of their Champions League semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid. Cristhian Mosquera appears the most likely option to slot in at right-back for the final in Budapest.
Losing White is a serious setback—not only because of the form he has shown, but also due to his rejuvenated partnership with Bukayo Saka, which has breathed new life into Arsenal's right flank. The circumstances suggest Mosquera will now be primed to start the remaining three matches. Brought in for around £15 million last summer, the Spaniard has caught the eye and earned a senior call-up to the Spain squad, placing him firmly on Luis de la Fuente's radar ahead of the World Cup.
Alongside Timber, Mikel Merino continues to be unavailable, while Riccardo Calafiori sustained a new injury at the weekend. Whether either will return before the Premier League campaign wraps up on May 24 remains to be seen. Arsenal return to action next Monday, welcoming relegated Burnley to the Emirates Stadium at 8pm.
