Mikel Arteta says ‘unbelievable’ Arsenal star could actually return from his injury before January ends

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Arsenal finally have some positive news coming their way on the injury front.

The Gunners have been troubled by so many issues since the start of the season. Mikel Arteta hasn’t had a fully fit squad available at his disposal at any point of the campaign so far.

That is not going to change anytime soon, but Arteta offered an update on a few injured Arsenal players ahead of the game against Brighton and Hove Albion.

One player could be back before the end of January!

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta gives an update on Ben White’s injury return

Ben White is one of Arsenal’s most important players.

The England international started almost every game for the Gunners in the 2023/24 campaign. White even played with an injury for several months last season.

That continued in the first few months of this term as well, and Arsenal’s doctors decided that he could not continue playing in pain anymore.

White underwent surgery on his knee back in November and he has been out of action since. Now, there is a positive update on the situation.

The versatile defender is working hard behind the scenes at Arsenal, and Arteta has confirmed now that there is a chance he will be back before February.

When asked if White could return before the end of January, the Arsenal manager said in his press conference, as per HaytersTV: “It might be a possibility, but he hasn’t done anything yet with the team.

“The knee looks good, it has reacted really well. In the first few weeks, everything has been going smoothly and now he needs to start to load the knee and get through many more things that up to now that he hasn’t been able to do.

“But, hopefully, he’s good. His work ethic is unbelievable and naturally, he’s a really gifted player. I’m very positive that we’ll have him quite early, but I don’t know when.”

Arsenal have a big problem at right-back

White isn’t the only Arsenal right-back who is out injured, Takehiro Tomiyasu has been sidelined for most of this season as well.

The Japan international is a terrific player when he’s fit, but his unavailability has forced Arsenal to use Jurrien Timber in almost every game.

Unfortunately now, Timber is suspended for the clash against Brighton after picking up five yellow cards, and Arsenal have no natural replacement available in that position.

Having either White or Tomiyasu fit would’ve been ideal now, but the most likely scenario is that Thomas Partey will start at right-back against the Seagulls.

We would be lying if we said that we aren’t worried about seeing how the Ghana international will fare against Kaoru Mitoma.