Arsenal have been dealt a major blow as Ben White’s season is officially over, and his availability for the upcoming World Cup is now hanging in the balance. The 28-year-old right-back was forced off during the first half of Sunday’s 1-0 win over West Ham United after a collision with winger Crysencio Summerville, and reports from *The Sun* indicate he may have suffered a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury in his knee.
White left the London Stadium wearing a knee brace, and further assessments have confirmed he will miss the remainder of Arsenal’s campaign, including the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain. The versatile defender had started all five of Arsenal’s recent matches, including both legs of the semi-final against Atletico Madrid, and his absence leaves manager Mikel Arteta with a significant dilemma.
With first-choice right-back Jurriën Timber still sidelined by an ankle issue since mid-March, Arteta may now turn to summer signing Christian Mosquera to start in the final in Budapest. However, the Arsenal boss briefly used Declan Rice at right-back during the win over West Ham, suggesting he is still weighing his options.
White’s injury also casts serious doubt over his participation in the World Cup, scheduled for this summer in the United States. He had only recently returned to the England squad for the first time since his controversial omission from the 2022 World Cup, scoring on his comeback. Despite being booed by some England fans, his form had made him a strong candidate for Thomas Tuchel’s squad, but this setback now puts his place at serious risk.
