Key Points
- Arsenal centre-back Ben White sustained a hamstring injury during the match against Wolves at the weekend.
- Reports indicate White is expected to be sidelined for a “minimum of a month,” with an estimated return date between 4 to 6 weeks.
- BBC Sport reporter Sami Mokbel, citing strong sources inside Arsenal’s dressing room, confirms the 4-6 week timeline.
- Arsenal’s medical team has not yet officially confirmed the recovery time.
- White is not expected to be available before mid to late January.
- Manager Mikel Arteta attributes White’s injury to the squad being stretched thinly at the back, following prior injuries to Gabriel and new signing Cristhian Mosquera.
- Arteta noted White had not played many minutes due to a previous knee issue, but was forced to play more due to lack of alternatives.
What Caused Ben White’s Hamstring Injury?
As reported by Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport, Ben White’s hamstring injury occurred during Arsenal’s weekend clash with Wolves, with club sources estimating a recovery period of 4 to 6 weeks. Mokbel’s report, accessible here, underscores the severity, noting White’s expected absence until at least mid-January.
Arsenal’s medical team has refrained from issuing an official prognosis, but the consensus from insiders points to no return before late January. This timeline aligns with typical hamstring recovery protocols, though individual responses can vary.
How Has Mikel Arteta Responded to the Injury Crisis?
Manager Mikel Arteta directly linked White’s injury to the squad’s thin defensive resources. In his post-match comments, Arteta stated:
“He hasn’t played a lot of minutes because of the previous knee issue that he had. Then the moment he started to get some momentum, he had to play a lot because we didn’t have any other solution.”
Arteta’s remarks highlight the chain reaction from Gabriel’s ongoing absence and the recent injury to summer signing Cristhian Mosquera, forcing White into heavy rotation despite his own prior knee problem. The Spaniard expressed frustration at the mounting issues, emphasising the lack of depth as the root cause.
Who Are the Key Players Affected in Arsenal’s Defence?
Ben White, a pivotal figure in Arsenal’s backline since his 2022 arrival from Brighton, now joins Gabriel on the treatment table. Gabriel’s injury has lingered, depriving Arteta of his reliable Brazilian partner. New recruit Cristhian Mosquera, brought in to bolster options, suffered his own setback shortly after arriving, exacerbating the crisis.
White’s versatility—capable at right-back or centre-half—makes his absence particularly felt. Sources close to the club, as per Mokbel’s BBC Sport coverage, indicate the 27-year-old’s hamstring strain resulted from the unnatural workload imposed by these gaps.
When Is Ben White Expected to Return?
Reports consistently peg White’s return between 4 to 6 weeks from the injury date, translating to mid to late January 2026. Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport specifies this window based on dressing-room intelligence, cautioning it as a “minimum” estimate. Arsenal’s medical staff’s silence leaves room for variance, but optimism hinges on swift rehabilitation.
This timeframe means White will miss crucial festive fixtures, including Premier League clashes and potential cup ties, as Arsenal chase silverware.
Why Is Arsenal’s Defensive Depth So Stretched?
Arteta’s candid admission reveals a perfect storm: White’s earlier knee issue limited his minutes, but Gabriel’s absence and Mosquera’s injury thrust him into the spotlight.
“We didn’t have any other solution,” Arteta remarked,
underscoring the absence of viable alternatives.
The Gunners’ summer transfer window focused on midfield and attack, leaving defence exposed to the rigours of a 60-plus game season. Analysts note this as a strategic oversight, now biting amid fixture pile-ups.
What Impact Will This Have on Arsenal’s Season?
White’s month-plus absence disrupts Arsenal’s defensive solidity, where he boasts a 92% pass accuracy and key tackles per game in recent outings. Paired with Gabriel’s unavailability, Arteta must improvise—potentially shifting William Saliba centrally or recalling loanees.
Title rivals like Manchester City and Liverpool, with deeper squads, could capitalise. Arsenal sit second in the Premier League as of December 2025, but this injury cluster risks derailing momentum ahead of 2026.
How Does This Fit into Arsenal’s Broader Injury History?
Arsenal’s campaign has been plagued by setbacks, echoing last season’s toll on key players. White’s hamstring joins a list including Gabriel’s muscular problem and Mosquera’s adaptation injury. Arteta’s high-intensity style demands peak fitness, amplifying risks.
Club insiders, via Mokbel’s reporting, worry about burnout in a squad balancing domestic and European fronts. Mitigation strategies, like rotation, falter without bodies.
What Are Fans and Pundits Saying?
Supporters express dismay on social media, with #WhiteOut trending post-Wolves. Pundits like Gary Neville have criticised Arsenal’s recruitment, arguing defensive reinforcements were essential. Arteta urges unity, but pressure mounts with rivals strengthening.
Who Could Replace Ben White in the Lineup?
Options dwindle: Saliba anchors centrally, Jurrien Timber eyes right-back, while Riccardo Calafiori offers versatility. Youth prospects like Myles Lewis-Skelly may get chances, but inexperience looms large against top attacks.
Arteta’s tactical nous will be tested, potentially adopting a back-three to cope.
What Steps Is Arsenal Taking for Recovery?
The club prioritises White’s rehab, with medical experts monitoring daily. Arteta hints at January window activity for defensive cover, though FFP constraints limit splurges. Internal sources stress conservative timelines to avoid re-injury.
Ben White’s hamstring blow, as detailed by Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport, marks a pivotal challenge for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal. The 4-6 week prognosis, rooted in dressing-room intel, forces adaptations amid Gabriel and Mosquera voids. Arteta’s quote
“He hasn’t played a lot of minutes because of the previous knee issue that he had. Then the moment he started to get some momentum, he had to play a lot because we didn’t have any other solution”
encapsulates the dilemma. As January looms, Arsenal’s resilience defines their season.
