Out with injury during the match against West Ham last weekend, Ben White should miss the entire end of the season, according to The Athletic. A thorn in Arsenal’s side since the starting right-back, Jurrién Timber, is already injured and will probably also miss the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
A bad feeling had already run through Arsenal supporters on Sunday when Ben White gave up his place in the first half while holding his knee. It is now confirmed by The Athletic: the English full-back, injured in his right knee ligament, will miss the end of the Gunners season. He will not play the last two Premier League matches, nor the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain, and could even miss the World Cup this summer.
A hell of a problem for Mikel Arteta, already deprived of Jurrién Timber, the holder on the right side of the defense. The Dutchman, injured against Everton on March 14, was initially only expected to be absent for a few days. According to the English media, the Gunners staff would do everything possible to allow the player to return, but his unavailability has been prolonged, without much explanation, and his return seems more and more improbable.
Mosquera undoubtedly starting in the final
It’s also hard to imagine Mikel Arteta fielding Jurrién Timber in the Champions League final from the outset if his player hasn’t played for two and a half months. Arsenal should therefore approach the meeting against PSG with a DIY solution at right-back. Declan Rice has already helped out, as a starter this season against Brighton, and a few rare times during matches. But the preferred solution should be Cristhian Mosquera, usually a central defender.
After Jurrién Timber’s injury, he started as right-back against Sporting, in the quarter-final of the Champions League, and against Manchester City, five days later in the Premier League. It was also the Spaniard who came on at the break this weekend against West Ham to occupy the right flank. But he doesn’t have the same ease with the ball as Timber and White, nor the same relationship with Arsenal’s offensive players. A boon for PSG and for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
