Mikel Arteta has admitted Ben White “doesn’t look good” after the Arsenal defender was forced off during the 1-0 Premier League win over West Ham.
White went down in the first half at the London Stadium and was unable to continue, creating an immediate problem for Arteta on the right side of Arsenal’s defence. The 28-year-old was replaced by Martin Zubimendi after 28 minutes, with Declan Rice moved into the backline as Arsenal adjusted to the injury.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Arteta said Arsenal will need to wait for further assessment before knowing the full extent of the issue.
“We don’t know, but he doesn’t look good at all,” Arteta said.
“So he needs some further testing tomorrow probably and I know a bit more.”
The injury came at a difficult time for Arsenal, who were already without Jurrien Timber for the trip to West Ham. Arteta had confirmed before the game that Timber had “no chance” of being available, leaving White as the senior option at right-back.
White’s withdrawal forced Arsenal into a reshuffle that shaped much of the afternoon. Rice initially moved to right-back after Zubimendi came on, before Arteta made another change at half-time.
The Arsenal manager also revealed Riccardo Calafiori, had picked up an issue before being replaced by Cristhian Mosquera at the break.
“Then we have the Ben White injury, we have to make an adjustment there,” Arteta said.
“After that at half-time we have to make another one with Richy’s injury.”
That second change saw Mosquera enter the game, Rice return to midfield and Myles Lewis-Skelly move to left-back. Arteta later explained that the changes were partly shaped by the balance he wanted from the team after White’s injury.
“There are two actions defensively that we suffered in a little bit, I don’t think it’s because of his positioning, but the reality is I think we had to,” Arteta said when asked about moving Rice into the backline.
“But as well with the game that I expected, bringing Mosquera was going to lock something. We really believed that he can give us the fluidity and the chance to hurt them, but sometimes you have to make another change.”
White will now be assessed before Arsenal’s next match against Burnley, with Arteta already clear that the focus must quickly move on from West Ham.
“We have to live in the present now and just think about Burnley because that’s the only important thing,” he said.
Arsenal left the London Stadium with three crucial points after Leandro Trossard’s late winner and a dramatic VAR decision that ruled out Callum Wilson’s stoppage-time equaliser. But the injury concern around White, and the fresh question over Calafiori, means Arteta could face another defensive selection issue as the Premier League title race reaches its final weeks.