Mikel Arteta's defensive options have been decimated just as the hectic Christmas schedule begins,
with confirmation that right-back Ben White is set for a significant spell on the sidelines.
The Injury Player: Ben White (Right-Back/Centre-Back)
Injury: Hamstring Injury
Incident: White was forced off just 30 minutes into Arsenal's narrow 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, December 13, 2025.
Expected Timeline: Scans conducted on Sunday confirmed a hamstring strain that will sideline the 28-year-old for at least a month, with his return tentatively penciled in for mid-January 2026.
Arteta confirmed his worry immediately after the game, stating: "That is bad news, for sure. It looks like a hamstring... He hasn't played a lot of minutes because of the previous knee issue that he had. Then the moment that he started to get some momentum, he had to play a lot because we didn't have any other solution."
The Depth Crisis
Ben White's injury couldn't come at a worse time, as he now joins a growing list of defensive players out of action, leaving Arteta perilously thin across the back line:
Defender,Injury/Status,Expected Return
Ben White,Hamstring Strain,Mid-January 2026
Cristhian Mosquera,Ankle Injury (Worse than feared),Mid-January 2026
Gabriel Magalhães,Muscular/Groin Injury,Late December 2025 (Tentative)
William Saliba,Knock/Unspecified Issue,Available (But was a risk to play 90 mins vs Wolves)
White's absence is particularly damaging as he was covering for the injured Gabriel at times, and now the club lacks a specialist right-back, forcing the manager to use makeshift solutions like Jurrien Timber (who is also dealing with a knock) or dipping into the academy.
Key Matches White is Expected to Miss
This defensive chaos will hit Arsenal during the busiest festive run, with White likely to miss the following crucial fixtures:
Sat, Dec 20: Premier League vs. Everton (A)
Thu, Dec 25: Premier League vs. Crystal Palace (H)
Mon, Dec 29: Premier League vs. Brighton (A)
Sun, Jan 4: FA Cup Third Round
Wed, Jan 7: Premier League vs. Liverpool (H)
The pressure is now intense for both Gabriel and Mosquera to recover quickly, as the club risks entering a "dangerous circle" where players are rushed back and break down again, as Arteta himself has warned.
Do you think this injury crisis will force Mikel Arteta to sign a defender in the January transfer window?