Arsenal star Ben White missed training ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League clash with RC Lens, but Mikel Arteta has now confirmed that he will be available tomorrow.
White came off the bench in the dying moments of Arsenal’s victory over Brentford, having missed the final game before the international break with an injury.
However, the defender was absent from training ahead of Lens’ visit to the Emirates tomorrow, sparking fears that he may have picked up another knock preventing him from playing.
Mikel Arteta confirms Ben White availability
In his pre-match press conference, Arteta confirmed that White will actually be available to play at the Emirates tomorrow.
“He trained the day before the Brentford game and was feeling good I think he’ll be available for this game. That’s very good news for us,” he stated.
Takehiro Tomiyasu has started in White’s absence, and it is currently unclear whether White will be thrown back in immediately or settle for a place on the bench again.
Ben White’s importance to Arsenal
The right-back is arguably one of the most underrated and important players at the club, and his consistently high performance levels makes him invaluable to Arteta.
Ian Wright recently lamented the absence of White, and despite Tomiyasu also being a capable performer in the position, the Englishman is a key part of the back four.
White often pushes forward on the overlap, and is also important in helping get the best out of Bukayo Saka by supporting him going forward on the right-hand side.
The 25-year-old has also had a near-impeccable injury record until now, and it will be a testament to his excellent fitness should he be ready to start so quickly following his injury.
White has already made 102 appearances for the club since his move from Brighton just over two years ago, and is closing in on a new contract to keep him around for the long-term.
Initially joining as a centre-back, White moved over to full-back after William Saliba joined the squad, and he quickly took to his role out wide, which is now perhaps his best position.
Getting him back from injury so quickly is a huge boost for Arteta, who is already stretched thin at the back given the injuries to Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey.
White is one of just six senior defensive options trusted by Arteta, with Cedric Soares out on the fringes of the squad, and he is continuing to go from strength to strength in North London.
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