Arsenal ‘warrior’ was injured and in agony for most of last season, but he still played 51 games

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Arsenal have a team full of huge personalities.

The Gunners’ most recent performance against Manchester City after Leandro Trossard was given a red card showed the togetherness and determination this group of players have.

Every single Arsenal man on the pitch gave their all against the Champions, and they almost pulled off a remarkable win in the most unlikeliest circumstance.

Every player Mikel Arteta used that day should be hailed as a warrior, but one of them, in particular, deserves special praise.

What really happened to Ben White at Arsenal in the 2023/24 season?

Arsenal signed Ben White from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer of 2021.

A lot was said about the Englishman by several pundits at the time, but he has been one of the most consistent performers in Europe over the last three years.

White has played in every game so far this season, including the one against Manchester City. He was brought on for the second half following Trossard’s red card.

The Arsenal number four was actually suffering from a knee injury and Arteta revealed after the game that he didn’t want to use White at the Etihad.

However, circumstances forced his hand, and White came on and did a magnificent job despite being in pain.

Charles Watts has revealed that White has had this knee issue since the start of the 2023/24 season. He played most of the last campaign in pain and didn’t complain once.

The journalist wrote in the Daily Briefing: “Ben White’s absence from the starting XI was because of a knee injury he was carrying. Mikel Arteta admitted after the game that he had hoped not to have to use him, but obviously that didn’t quite go to plan because of the red card.

“Arsenal will hope that it’s nothing serious with White and the fact that he was able to play – and play very well – in the second half is a good sign.

“White played through the pain for the majority of last season due to a knee issue. It meant Arsenal had to manage him a little bit and maybe they will have to do that again now.”

What Emile Smith Rowe once said about Ben White is proven right

To play one game with an injury is difficult on its own, but White made a total of 51 appearances in the 2023/24 campaign. That is just remarkable.

The Englishman was one of Arsenal’s best players too last season, and there aren’t many in the country who are as reliable as he is.

In March 2024, after White signed his new Gunners contract, many of his teammates were asked to describe him using a few words.

Emile Smith Rowe and Martin Odegaard branded White as a ‘warrior’, and they were both absolutely spot on with their assessment.

Arsenal are lucky to have a player like White, but we hope he gets the rest he needs to recover fully. Jurrien Timber’s availability now will allow Arteta to manage White’s fitness much better.