Key Arsenal defender handed return date after scan verdict

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Ben White is expected to be available for Arsenal's first fixture back after the international break against Leeds, with scans on his groin injury indicating a recovery timeline of around three weeks.

The defender picked up the problem against Sunderland, an injury that arrived while he was in contention for England's Nations League squad for matches against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia. According to the Evening Standard, the issue is not believed to be long-term, and White was not initially ruled out of the Brighton fixture before the club decided the risk of a more serious setback was too great.

Summer work behind the strong start

White's season began under a cloud of uncertainty. The medial collateral ligament injury he suffered against West Ham at the end of last season ended his campaign days after what was arguably his best display of the year, in the Champions League semi-final second-leg win over Atletico Madrid, and cost him a place in England's World Cup squad.

Despite external speculation about his future, the Evening Standard reports that a summer exit was never considered by either Arsenal or the player, with Mikel Arteta still viewing the 28-year-old as a key part of his plans.

Instead, White spent around a month of the summer in Portugal training every day, with Arsenal sending physios out to work with him on his recovery. He linked up with team-mates in Marbella for an unofficial camp the week before pre-season officially began.

The club remained cautious. White was left out of the behind-closed-doors friendly against MK Dons and made his first appearance of the summer against Girona, playing an hour.

"He trains like every day is his last," one club source told the Evening Standard. "He's a freak."

The right-side triangle

The work paid off immediately. White started the first six matches of the season alongside Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka, and even when Arteta rotated against Napoli, that right-sided trio remained intact.

In the Community Shield win over Manchester City, White led Arsenal for both defensive contributions and passes into the final third. The right flank was central to Arsenal winning their opening four top-flight matches and the Champions League tie in Naples.

Thomas Tuchel addressed the timing of the injury directly. "He had a fantastic start to the season and was back to his very best on the side as a pair with Bukayo Saka which could be very valuable for us to have two players on the side," the England manager said. "It is unfortunately a little bit of a story with Ben that in the decisive moments or in the moments where we do the call-ups he is not available."

Signed from Brighton for £50million in 2021 as a centre-back, White started 32 Premier League games in his first season and 36 the following year after switching to right-back. When Jurrien Timber suffered an ACL injury on his debut in 2023, White was required to start 35 of 38 league matches.

The pair have rarely been fit simultaneously since. If Timber returns from Netherlands duty unscathed over the next fortnight, Arteta will have both of his right-backs available at the same time heading into the Leeds fixture.