Arsenal has been dealt a devastating blow just as the season reaches its most critical juncture: defender Ben White will miss the remainder of the campaign—and potentially the World Cup—after suffering a significant knee injury.
The 28-year-old was forced off in the first half of Sunday's crucial 1-0 victory over West Ham, a win that kept the Gunners firmly in control of their own destiny in the Premier League title race with just two matches remaining. But the celebration was short-lived. A club statement released Tuesday confirmed the worst fears: "Further to Sunday's match at West Ham United, subsequent assessments and specialist reviews have confirmed that Ben White has sustained a significant medial knee ligament injury, which will rule him out for the remainder of this season."
The timing couldn't be worse. Arsenal is not only fighting for its first domestic title since 2004, but also preparing for a historic UEFA Champions League final on May 30—the club's first appearance in Europe's biggest stage since 2006. Without White, that dream becomes far more complicated.
With Jurrien Timber already sidelined, White had become Arsenal's go-to right back, starting four of the last five league matches. He's appeared in 31 games across all competitions this season, a remarkable comeback after losing a significant chunk of the 2024-25 campaign to knee surgery. Now, he faces another lengthy rehabilitation.
Christian Mosquera is expected to fill in for the final Premier League fixtures, but the Champions League final presents a monumental challenge. Arsenal will likely have to contain Paris Saint-Germain's Kvicha Kvaratskhelia—one of the most electrifying wingers in world football—without their most dependable defensive option on that flank.
White joined Arsenal from Brighton in 2021 and has since made over 130 league appearances for the club, becoming a cornerstone of Mikel Arteta's defense. The club's medical team is now focused on getting him ready for pre-season, and the hope is that he'll be fully recovered by the start of next campaign. But for now, Arsenal must find a way to finish the job without him.