Mikel Arteta faces a defensive crisis with Ben White sidelined long-term, forcing the Gunners to search for emergency alternatives ahead of a pivotal season-defining stretch.
Mikel Arteta has admitted Arsenal are still waiting on several defenders before Monday’s Premier League game against Burnley, with Ben White ruled out long term and doubts remaining over Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber.
White sustained a significant medial knee ligament injury during Arsenal’s win at West Ham and has already been ruled out for the rest of the season. Asked whether the defender could also miss the World Cup if selected, Arteta said the immediate focus was on getting him back for Arsenal.
“We have to wait and see,” Arteta said in his pre-match press conference. “Looks like a long-term injury. So, at the moment, the focus is when can we hand him back to be available for Arsenal and that’s not going to happen in many, many weeks.”
That creates a clear problem at right-back. White is unavailable, while Timber has also been absent, leaving Arsenal short on natural options at a crucial point of the season.
Arteta said Arsenal would have to “look at alternatives” because “the two players that we have, they are not available at the moment”. He added that the squad have already had to solve similar problems during the campaign, particularly when injuries have arrived in the same area of the pitch.
Calafiori is another concern after coming off at half-time against West Ham. Arteta did not rule him out of the Burnley game, but Arsenal are still waiting to see how the defender responds before making a decision.
“We don’t know whether he’s going to be available or not,” Arteta said. “We still have days ahead. Hopefully it’s nothing serious, but we’ll have to wait and see how he reacts to that.”
There was slightly more encouraging news on Timber. The Dutch defender has been out for a spell, but Arteta said he has progressed in recent days and is pushing to return as quickly as possible.
“He’s feeling better,” Arteta said. “We’re going to try to get him fit and available as quick as possible, but let’s see. Obviously, he’s been out now for a while. Unfortunately, he’s such an important player for us.”
Asked whether Timber had a chance of playing, Arteta added: “There is a chance, but how big that chance is, I cannot tell you.”
Arteta’s side are entering the final stretch of the Premier League title race and also have a Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain to prepare for. The right-back issue is therefore not just about Burnley, but about how Arsenal balance defensive stability across the final weeks.
Christian Mosquera is one option after being used from the bench at West Ham, while Arsenal have also moved midfielders and defenders across the back line at different points this season. Arteta was careful not to frame any one solution as fixed, saying the decision would depend on the opponent, the players available and the balance of the team.
Arsenal still have most of the squad available, and Arteta said the mood remains strong despite White’s injury. But the defensive picture is now one of the key selection issues before Burnley, with Arsenal needing a solution quickly as the title race reaches its final turn.