Ben White Offers Reassurance After Arsenal Injury Scare
Arsenal defender Ben White has moved swiftly to calm fears surrounding his fitness after being forced off during the FA Cup victory over Wigan Athletic. The England international was substituted in the closing stages of the match, which Arsenal won emphatically 4-0 against their League One opponents.
Arteta's Growing Concern Over Injury Crisis
Manager Mikel Arteta admitted after the match that the growing list of absentees within his squad is becoming a genuine concern. The Gunners are currently pursuing an unprecedented quadruple of trophies, but their ambitions are being tested by a mounting injury crisis that has affected multiple areas of the team.
"Before it was the strikers, then it was the defenders, now it's the midfielders," Arteta revealed in his post-match comments. "But we are still coping with that, but we need some players back and fit, to give us as well not only numbers but different options in relation to the opponents that we have. So the quicker the better."
White's Social Media Message Brings Relief
White took to social media shortly after the match to allay concerns about his condition. Alongside a photograph from the Wigan game, the defender posted a simple but reassuring message: "Next round, No injuries."
This update will come as welcome news to Arteta, who has seen several key players sidelined in recent weeks. Midfielder Mikel Merino is expected to miss the remainder of the season, while creative forces Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard are also currently nursing injuries.
Eze's Confidence Boost Amidst Challenges
The Wigan match provided a platform for summer signing Eberechi Eze to showcase his growing confidence. The England international, who joined from Crystal Palace for a substantial fee, has experienced a challenging adaptation period but demonstrated encouraging signs against lower league opposition.
Arteta expressed particular satisfaction with Eze's performance, noting: "Yes, some superb goals and his intentions, I think the risk that he took in the final third, the amount of shots that he tried to take as well, I think that's really positive. That's what I want from him."
The manager added: "Those players need those moments and especially when we talk about the creative players, they need to feel that they are producing those moments and I'm very happy with that."
Quadruple Pursuit Continues Despite Setbacks
Despite the injury concerns, Arsenal's comprehensive victory secured their progression to the next round of the FA Cup. The win was somewhat marred by White's late withdrawal and an issue picked up by Riccardo Calafiori during the warm-up, but overall represented another positive step in their trophy hunt.
Arsenal now turn their attention back to Premier League action, where they have the opportunity to re-establish a seven-point lead over defending champions Manchester City. The Gunners travel to Molineux for their next fixture, with Arteta hoping White's reassurance proves accurate and his squad can overcome their fitness challenges.
The North London club's pursuit of four major trophies this season represents an ambitious target that will test their squad depth and resilience. With key players returning from injury and others finding form at crucial moments, Arsenal's campaign continues to generate significant interest and anticipation among supporters and neutrals alike.
