Ben White injury timeframe revealed by Mikel Arteta, but Arsenal now have a bigger problem

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Arsenal have been dealt a huge injury blow as Ben White is set to be sidelined for the foreseeable future.

The defender recently underwent surgery to fix an ongoing issue, but this now means that White will be unavailable for selection for some time.

The 26-year-old is typically one of Arsenal’s most reliable and robust players, and White has played through injury to cover for other absences.

Mikel Arteta has now confirmed that White will be out for a lengthy period, and has given a worrying verdict on when he may return.

• READ MORE: The top five most injured Arsenal players in 2023/24

Mikel Arteta reveals Ben White injury issue

Speaking in his press conference ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Nottingham Forest, Arteta revealed that White had undergone surgery during the international break, but will now be a long-term absentee.

“Ben is going to be out for months unfortunately,” Arteta revealed.

“It’s been a different kind of a struggle, it’s never been the same thing. We had to make a decision.

“It’s not been improving the last few weeks unfortunately, we know that Ben is going to push every boundary, but it got to a point where we had to protect the player.

“We decided to do the surgery, he agreed with that, obviously that is going to keep him out for a few months.”

Arteta was then asked about when White could return, and his response was worrying.

“We have to see how he reacts post-surgery. I don’t expect him to be out for half of a year, but I cannot tell you exactly,” he replied.

White’s injury is already a huge blow, but Arsenal now have an even bigger problem at right-back as there are other absentees.

Takehiro Tomiyasu also injured as Arsenal face right-back crisis

Takehiro Tomiyasu has struggled with injuries throughout his Arsenal career, and the versatile defender now has another issue which will also see him sidelined.

With White out, Tomiyasu would have been a particularly useful option to have, but Arsenal will now be very short at right-back as a result of his latest issue.

“Tomiyasu is going to be out for a period,” Arteta added.

There will now be extra reliance on Jurrien Timber to stay fit, as Arsenal’s only natural right-back option for the coming months, and this could present a real problem given that he has also struggled with injuries.