Ben White injury update provides boost for Arsenal

Arsenal deals & transfers January 2025

Arsenal defender Ben White is closing on a return to action with the club, with the player now back in training on the grass.

Sami Mokbel reports for the Daily Mail that Ben White is closing in on a return to availability following his absence with a knee injury. Mokbel writes that White is now back training on the grass at London Colney, and he’s close to making his comeback.

The report doesn’t clarify whether or not White is in full training with the team at this stage, but it should only be a matter of time until that step.

White has been out of action since mid-November, when he underwent knee surgery. The defender had struggled with knee problems, with three separate absences in the 12 months leading up to the surgery. The hope is that he can put that behind him now.

Arsenal are low on options at both right-back and right-centre-back at the moment, so White’s return is certainly a welcome one. Jurrien Timber and William Saliba will both be grateful for the opportunities to rest a little more often, with Saliba also on his way back from a hamstring injury.

The picture will look even better once Takehiro Tomiyasu returns, giving Mikel Arteta three strong options at right-back and four at right-centre-back. But there’s no word yet on the Japan international’s exact return date.

Arsenal have been cursed with injuries on the right of the defence recently, with even academy right-back Josh Nichols confirming that he’s out with a “long-term” injury.

With any luck, White’s return signals the start of a better spell for the club in his position.