Mikel Arteta's defensive crisis at Arsenal has deepened significantly with the news that Ben White is facing at least a month out with a hamstring injury.
Fresh setback for returning defender
The defender, who had only recently returned from a previous knee issue, was forced off during the first half of Arsenal's 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. Scans conducted on Sunday confirmed the severity of the problem, marking another frustrating chapter in White's season, which began with a different hamstring complaint.
Arteta confirmed the bad news post-match, stating, "That is bad news, for sure. It looks like a hamstring... probably tomorrow or the day after we will know more." The manager revealed the club had been forced to overplay the 27-year-old due to a lack of alternatives, with White starting four matches in just ten days prior to his breakdown.
Defensive resources stretched to the limit
White's injury exacerbates an already critical situation in Arsenal's backline. The Gunners are already without key centre-back Gabriel, who is nursing a muscular injury and is not expected back until late December. Furthermore, summer signing Cristhian Mosquera is in a protective boot and could be absent until mid-January after an awkward landing against Brentford.
This forced Arteta into a major gamble against Wolves, where he admitted he was "buying tickets for another injury" by playing William Saliba for the full 90 minutes despite the Frenchman's own recent ankle knock. Saliba's return was a rare positive in a defence missing multiple pillars.
Injury list casts shadow over title charge
The defensive woes are part of a wider injury list affecting Arteta's squad. Forward Kai Havertz has missed the majority of the campaign with a knee issue, while teenage talent Max Dowman is also sidelined with an ankle ligament injury.
Despite these setbacks, Arsenal remain top of the Premier League, holding a two-point lead. However, their reliance on a stoppage-time own goal from Yerson Mosquera to beat bottom-side Wolves highlighted the strain on the squad. The team now faces a trip to Everton's Hill Dickson Stadium this weekend, where their depleted resources will be tested once more as they aim to maintain their position at the summit.
