Key Points

• Arsenal are assessing a long list of potential right-back replacements as Ben White’s future at the club becomes increasingly uncertain.
• Aaron Wan‑Bissaka has emerged as a genuine option among 11 names being considered for the role, according to TEAMtalk’s exclusive coverage .
• White attracted strong interest from Premier League, European and Middle Eastern clubs last season, with a move abroad seen as more likely than a domestic switch .
• A knee ligament injury sustained towards the end of the previous campaign has complicated any immediate transfer and delayed clarity on White’s availability.
• Mikel Arteta confirmed that White would be sidelined for “many, many weeks”, ruling him out for the remainder of the season and much of pre‑season planning.
• Reports suggest Arsenal are open to selling White, with some outlets indicating five replacements under serious consideration, while others suggest a much longer list.
• Arsenal have been linked with an AS Roma defender in search of a Ben White successor, with Transfer Talk reporting a step up in pursuit of that option.
• Media speculation has also connected White with Everton and Liverpool, with claims that he could “force” a shock move if he feels his minutes at Arsenal are limited.
• The potential departure of White is viewed by some analysts as a signal of a broader defensive overhaul at Arsenal this summer.
• Arsenal’s summer planning is described as “more complex” than previously anticipated, with the right-back position now central to their transfer strategy.

Tottenham (North London News) July 6, 2026 –Arsenal are continuing to assess the market for a new right‑back, and TEAMtalk understands former Manchester United defender has emerged as a genuine option – and one of 11 they are considering – for Mikel Arteta’s side .

The Gunners are preparing for the possibility of Ben White leaving the Emirates this summer, with the England international attracting strong interest from clubs across the Premier League, Europe and the Middle East .

We understand the current expectation is that White is more likely to move abroad, although his knee ligament injury suffered towards the end of last season has complicated any immediate transfer .

As reported by TEAMtalk in their exclusive article, the scale of the list – 11 potential candidates – underscores how seriously Arsenal are treating the right‑back position in light of White’s uncertain status .

How has Ben White’s injury shaped Arsenal’s transfer thinking?

White’s fitness has become a central factor in Arsenal’s summer planning. According to Sports Illustrated, Mikel Arteta confirmed that Ben White would be sidelined for “many, many weeks,” ruling him out for the rest of Arsenal’s season and very much of the early pre‑season period.

This injury revelation has forced Arsenal to consider contingency options earlier than they might have otherwise, with the right‑back role now a key area of focus in their recruitment strategy.

Why is Aaron Wan‑Bissaka being linked with Arsenal?

The prospect of Wan‑Bissaka joining Arsenal has drawn attention because of his familiarity with the Premier League and his previous experience at Manchester United .

As reported by TEAMtalk, the club continues to assess a range of right‑backs, and Wan‑Bissaka is now described as a “genuine option” among 11 names under consideration .

His inclusion on the list suggests Arsenal are not limiting themselves to a single profile but are evaluating multiple routes to secure a long‑term solution at right‑back .

What other targets are Arsenal considering for the right‑back role?

Beyond Wan‑Bissaka, Arsenal are known to be looking at several other candidates. According to Yahoo Sports, Arsenal are ready to sell a star defender and are considering five replacements, with the right‑back position central to that plan.

ESPN later reported that Arsenal have stepped up their pursuit of an AS Roma defender as a potential Ben White successor, with Transfer Talk highlighting that option as a focus of their attention.

These reports indicate that Arsenal’s list is not static but evolving, with different clubs and profiles being weighed as the summer progresses.

How are Everton and Liverpool linked to Ben White?

Media speculation has also suggested that White could seek a move if he feels his role at Arsenal is diminishing. BBC Sport reported transfer rumours that White wants assurances from Arsenal about his future, with Everton cited as a potential destination if those assurances are not given.

The Mirror has further warned that Arsenal’s £50m star could “force” a shock Liverpool transfer if he believes his minutes are limited, with the club’s competition for right‑back spots highlighted as a factor.

These claims underline the pressure Arsenal face in managing White’s career path, especially if he feels his position is at risk of being overtaken by incoming recruits.

What does a possible White exit mean for Arsenal’s defensive structure?

Some analysts view a White departure as indicative of a broader reshuffle. As noted on Pain in the Arsenal, a Ben White exit “says something about Arsenal’s plans” and could signal a shift in how the club approaches its defensive lineup.

Yahoo Sports describes Arsenal’s summer planning as “more complex” than previously anticipated, with the potential sale of a key defender opening the door to a wider defensive overhaul.

This could mean not only a new right‑back but also adjustments in how the back line is constructed and balanced across the season.

How are Arsenal balancing rotation and consistency in the right‑back position?

Arsenal’s high level of competition in defensive areas has been cited as a reason White might struggle for consistent minutes.

The Mirror notes that White has “struggled for minutes in more recent times” and that competition at the Emirates is “so high” that he has been tipped to eye moves elsewhere.

If Arsenal bring in an additional right‑back, especially one with Premier League experience like Wan‑Bissaka, the club may be preparing to rotate more heavily or to reassign White to a different role within the defence.

Background: The development behind Arsenal’s right‑back rethink

This story emerges from a combination of long‑running transfer speculation about Ben White and Arsenal’s recent need to address their right‑back options following his injury and fluctuating touch time.

The initial reporting that Arsenal are considering 11 right‑backs, including Wan‑Bissaka, appeared in an exclusive article by TEAMtalk, which highlighted the club’s willingness to prepare for White’s potential departure .

Further reports from Sports Illustrated, Yahoo Sports, ESPN, BBC Sport and The Mirror have added layers to the narrative, linking White with Everton and Liverpool, naming alternative targets such as an AS Roma defender, and framing the situation as a potential defensive overhaul rather than a simple replacement.

Together, these developments indicate that Arsenal’s right‑back planning is now a central element of their summer transfer strategy, shaped by White’s injury, the intensity of competition for his position, and the club’s ambition to maintain defensive stability while pursuing other goals.

Prediction: How this development can affect Arsenal fans and stakeholders

If Arsenal proceed with signing a new right‑back and White moves abroad, Arsenal fans in North London and beyond will likely see a shift in the defensive setup, with potential changes in rotation patterns and occasional adjustments in how the back line is structured.

The arrival of a player such as Wan‑Bissaka or a Roma defender could bring more Premier League experience or a different tactical profile, which may affect match‑day selections and the balance between defensive solidity and attacking contribution from the right side.

For stakeholders, including analysts and pundits, this development may be interpreted as a sign that Arsenal are willing to invest in multiple areas of defence, potentially leading to further moves beyond right‑back if the club believes a broader overhaul is necessary.

If White remains at Arsenal despite the new recruitment, the right‑back position may become more competitive, with rotation becoming a more regular feature of Arteta’s approach, which could influence White’s playing time and role over the coming seasons.

Overall, the way Arsenal manage this right‑back situation will shape perceptions of the club’s long‑term defensive planning and could influence fan expectations about the team’s ability to compete consistently at the top of the Premier League and in European competition.