Arsenal are preparing to face Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in the Premier League.
With second place in the Premier League almost assured, Mikel Arteta would be forgiven for having one eye on the huge Champions League semi-final first leg against PSG.
Arteta revealed Jorginho’s fitness update and the Italian midfielder may have played his last game for Arsenal given the extent of his rib injury and his contract expiration in the summer.
Andrea Berta has a busy summer ahead of him at the Emirates Stadium and fans have had one eye on the window for some time now however, the Gunners cannot afford to make one huge error.
Ben White’s Arsenal future
According to TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey, an ‘interesting situation’ could be developing with defender Ben White.
White has spent a large part of the season recovering from knee surgery and has stiff competition for places in the back line after Jurrien Timber’s excellence this campaign.
Bailey stated: “This could very well be the curious case of Benjamin White, he has been such a pivotal and important player under Arteta during his Arsenal project, but sometimes needs must.
“White has never let Arsenal down, but Timber is now fit and looks even better than the club hoped – he can play everywhere, left and even CDM but he is at home at right-back and as it stands looks better fit than White.
“One other thing I find interesting is Arsenal looking for another central defender – Dean Huijsen and Nathan Collins are two they are looking at, and they insist they want them to compliment Saliba and Gabriel, I find it interesting as it seems White won’t or isn’t going to be used in that role.
“I think White’s situation is one to look at.”
Mikel Arteta must not sell Ben White
Micah Richards has warned White about the struggles he may have in getting back into the Arsenal side but Arteta needs to resist any temptation to sell the 27-year-old defender.
Gabriel Magalhaes praised White for their centre back partnership before the emergence of William Saliba and the England international’s versatility is one of his many strengths.
One of Arsenal’s downfalls this season has been their lack of squad depth in coping with injuries and suspensions and White provides great depth in a number of positions whilst having the quality to start.
If the Gunners want to fight on all four fronts next campaign, Ben White is exactly the type of player that can help do that and selling him should not even enter the minds of Arteta and Berta.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
