Arsenal have suffered a massive setback ahead of their Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain later this month.
Mikel Arteta already faced growing concerns over injuries in defence heading into the biggest match of the club’s season.
Now, those fears appear to have become reality after another major blow at the London Stadium.
The defender left Sunday’s win over West Ham wearing a knee brace after being forced off during the first half following a collision with Crysencio Summerville.
According to The Sun, Ben White will now miss Arsenal’s Champions League final after suffering a suspected MCL injury.
The report also claims the 28-year-old has become a major doubt for this summer’s World Cup.
White had started each of Arsenal’s last five matches, including both legs of their Champions League semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid.
His absence now creates a huge selection problem for Arteta because first-choice right-back Jurrien Timber also remains sidelined with injury.
Timber has not played since mid-March because of an ankle issue and still faces a race against time to return before the end of the campaign.
That situation could force Arteta into another defensive reshuffle for the final in Budapest. Summer signing Cristhian Mosquera now appears the leading option to start at right-back against PSG.
Arteta also briefly experimented with using Declan Rice in the position during Sunday’s victory over West Ham. White’s injury also arrives at the worst possible moment internationally.
The Arsenal defender only recently returned to the England squad after his controversial exit from the 2022 World Cup.
A place in Thomas Tuchel’s squad for this summer’s tournament had looked increasingly likely following his recent performances. Now, the injury has placed those hopes in serious doubt.
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