Mikel Arteta reveals why Ben White missed Arsenal clash with Brentford amid injury concerns

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Arsenal have rotated their side heavily to face Brentford in the Premier League.

With one eye on the Champions League quarter final second leg with Real Madrid at the Bernabeu, Mikel Arteta has made a number of changes to the side that beat the European champions 3-0.

Jorginho and Ethan Nwaneri return to the side whilst there is a first start since May 2023 for Kieran Tierney at left back as the Gunners seek three points at the Emirates Stadium.

There is one notable absentee from the squad in Ben White and Arteta has explained the defender’s absence.

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Mikel Arteta explains Ben White absence from Arsenal squad

As per Arsenal’s official X account, Arteta has given a further explanation as to the reason why White is absent from the matchday squad for the Premier League clash with Brentford.

Arteta stated: “Ben White couldn’t be in the squad because he felt something again post-training yesterday, so that limits the solutions we have because Jurrien wasn’t ready to start the game either. Other players as well played a lot of minutes and other players deserve to play minutes to help the team.”

Gunners fans will be hoping that both White and Jurrien Timber can recover to full fitness ahead of that second leg in the Bernabeu.

Arsenal are likely to be on the back foot in that clash and will need all the defensive strength they can muster in order to reach their first Champions League semi final since 2009.

White’s struggles with injury this season continues

Having had knee surgery back in November, White has now missed more games for Arsenal this season than in any other season since he arrived in North London.

White missed the game against Fulham with a ‘niggle’ believed to be in his knee and it seems he is still struggling with the knock.

The Gunners suffer when they are forced to play Thomas Partey at right back as the Ghanaian midfielder is not used to the position and his presence is lost in the middle of the park.

Arteta will be hoping that White can recover quickly from his latest setback and get back to playing consistently.