Arsenal’s growing injury concerns have deepened after fears emerged that defender Ben White could be sidelined for at least a month following a hamstring injury sustained in Saturday’s Premier League win over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The 28-year-old England international was forced off in the 31st minute of Arsenal’s 2-1 victory at the Emirates Stadium, immediately raising alarm bells on the touchline. White pulled up while tracking back and signalled to the bench before being replaced by teenager Myles Lewis-Skelly, with Mikel Arteta later confirming that the issue appeared to be muscular.
While Arsenal are still awaiting final medical confirmation, early assessments inside the club suggest White could be out for between four and six weeks, a timeline that would rule him out of a crucial run of fixtures during one of the most demanding periods of the season.
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Ben White Injury Adds to Arsenal’s Defensive Headaches
White’s potential absence is a significant blow for a side already stretched thin at the back. The versatile defender has been a key part of Arsenal’s setup this season, making 11 appearances across competitions and offering reliability both at right-back and in central defence when required.
Arteta has leaned heavily on White’s tactical intelligence and positional discipline, particularly in games where Arsenal have needed defensive stability without sacrificing build-up play. Losing him at this stage compounds an already difficult situation for the league leaders.
Gabriel Magalhaes remains sidelined after picking up an abductor injury while on international duty with Brazil during the last break. Arsenal have confirmed that the Brazilian centre-back will not return until the end of the year, removing one of the team’s most physically dominant defenders during a vital stretch of the campaign.
Cristhian Mosquera is also unavailable, with the defender ruled out until mid-January 2026 after suffering an ankle injury. That leaves Arteta with limited senior defensive options at a time when fixture congestion is at its peak.
Although William Saliba and Jurrien Timber both returned to the starting line-up at the weekend following their own injury setbacks, their fitness will need careful management. Timber, in particular, is still being eased back after a long spell on the sidelines, while Saliba has only recently regained match sharpness.
The knock-on effect of White’s injury is likely to force Arteta into tactical adjustments, especially given the tight turnaround between matches. With four fixtures scheduled in the space of 10 days, squad rotation is no longer a luxury but a necessity.
Arsenal Face Gruelling Schedule Amid Growing Fitness Concerns
Arsenal’s testing run continues this Saturday with a trip to Goodison Park to face Everton, a fixture that has historically proven difficult for the Gunners. That is followed swiftly by a Carabao Cup quarter-final clash against Crystal Palace on December 23, a competition Arteta has previously prioritised as part of Arsenal’s silverware ambitions.
The pressure intensifies further with back-to-back home league games against Brighton and Aston Villa on December 27 and 30 respectively. Both opponents are well-drilled, physically demanding sides capable of exploiting defensive instability — precisely the concern now facing Arsenal.
Despite the mounting injuries, Arsenal remain in a strong position at the top of the Premier League table, sitting two points clear of reigning champions Manchester City. However, the margin for error is thin, and defensive disruptions at this stage of the season can quickly shift momentum.
Arteta has repeatedly emphasised the importance of squad depth, but the reality is that Arsenal’s backline is being tested more severely than anticipated. Youngsters such as Lewis-Skelly may be called upon more frequently, while players returning from injury will be expected to shoulder heavy minutes under intense pressure.
White’s leadership and experience will be sorely missed, particularly in away fixtures and high-stakes matches where concentration and organisation are paramount. His absence also reduces Arsenal’s flexibility, limiting Arteta’s ability to tweak systems mid-game or respond to opposition threats.
For now, the club will wait anxiously for definitive scan results, but the early signs point towards another enforced reshuffle at the back. As the title race tightens and the calendar fills up, Arsenal’s ability to weather this defensive storm may well define their season.
What was shaping up to be a crucial period to assert dominance at the top has instead turned into a test of resilience — and Ben White’s injury could prove to be a defining moment in Arsenal’s campaign.
