Why Ben White was a surprise absentee in Arsenal’s win over Burnley

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Arsenal secured victory over Burnley at the Emirates yesterday with a number of players missing, and Ben White was a surprise absentee.

There was no indication prior to the game that White would not be available, but the defender was absent from the squad, and Takehiro Tomiyasu took his place at right-back.

White had started in every Premier League game this season so far prior to the Burnley game, and has been a consistently good performer throughout, but the Gunners coped well in his absence.

Mikel Arteta explains Ben White absence vs Burnley

Speaking after the victory, Mikel Arteta explained why White was absent from the squad, claiming that he had been carrying a knock for a few weeks.

“Yesterday [Friday] in training he wasn’t comfortable, he didn’t look right,” Arteta stated.

“But Ben won’t give you much. He always wants to be on the pitch and he wants to hide anything that is there.

“But we highlighted that we noticed in the last few weeks as well something happening there and we wanted to protect him today.

“It was the right call from the physios, the medical department, and tomorrow we will assess him and understand what’s happening.”

Arsenal’s injury problems

Given that Arsenal are suffering from a number of injury issues, to be close to the top of the Premier League, as well as top of the Champions League group, is an impressive feat even if Arsenal have not been at their best.

Jurrien Timber, Thomas Partey, White, Emile Smith Rowe, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus were all missing against Burnley, and Arsenal managed to secure a comfortable win, just days after beating Sevilla in the Champions League.

In addition to the absentees, Bukayo Saka and Oleksandr Zinchenko have also struggled with injury, whilst Eddie Nketiah was named on the bench having missed the Sevilla victory with a knock.

The upcoming international break will allow Arsenal to welcome back a number of these players ahead of a busy schedule leading into Christmas, but they have navigated a tough set of fixtures so far well, with just one loss in 12 Premier League games.