Arsenal star Ben White was outstanding last season, but has failed to hit the same heights in his performance levels in this campaign.
Whilst he has still performed fairly well for the most part, his form has taken a dip in recent weeks, but this may now be due to an injury he is currently suffering from.
The right-back has started 85% of Arsenal’s Premier League games this season, but injuries to Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jurrien Timber have left him as the only viable option in his position in recent games.
White was substituted for Reiss Nelson in Arsenal’s disappointing defeat to Fulham on Sunday, having struggled defensively on the right-hand side.
Ben White is carrying an injury
A report from The Daily Mail has now revealed that White has been playing through injury in recent weeks, and is suffering from a long-term problem.
“Ben White, whose talks over a new contract are ongoing, is playing with an uncomfortable long-term issue that club medics are working to find a solution to,” the report stated.
White has appeared in all-but-one game in all competitions, as he missed a 3-1 victory over Burnley in November through injury, but quickly returned as Tomiyasu was also struck down.
Bizarrely, White came on as a substitute for Cedric Soares in Arsenal’s final Champions League group game against PSV Eindhoven, with the Gunners already confirmed as group winners.
Arsenal fans were frustrated and surprised at the decision from Mikel Arteta, given that this was a game which he could have sat out in favour of giving youngster Reuell Walters an opportunity.
Ben White’s fitness record at Arsenal
White has had a near-impeccable fitness record during his career, having hardly missed a game since his arrival from Brighton in 2021.
His former teammate Rob Holding once revealed that White played in a crucial game away at Newcastle despite initially being ruled out for a hamstring injury, and his commitment to the team cannot be faulted in this sense.
His dip in form, whilst noticeable in recent games, has not been too costly, but if he continues to play heavily through injury, there is a risk of doing further damage. With Tomiyasu set to play for Japan in the Asia Cup, there is little alternative to White playing unless Arsenal sign a defender in the January window.
Arsenal saw their title challenge collapse last season after William Saliba picked up an injury, and they will be keen to avoid a similar scenario with White.
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