Arsenal defender, Ben White, has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a knee injury, dealing a major setback to both the club and England ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
White sustained the injury during Arsenal’s 1-0 Premier League victory over West Ham on Sunday and was later seen leaving the London Stadium wearing a knee brace.
Arsenal confirmed on Monday that the 28-year-old has suffered a “significant medial ligament injury”, ruling him out of the club’s final two league matches and the UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain on May 30.
The club said: “Our medical team are now managing Ben’s recovery and rehabilitation programme, with everyone fully focused on supporting the aim of Ben being ready for the start of our pre-season preparations.”
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The injury comes at a difficult stage of the campaign for Mikel Arteta’s side, who remain in contention for a first Premier League title in 22 years and are preparing for their first Champions League final in two decades.
White has made 30 appearances in all competitions this season and had regained a regular role in recent weeks, starting Arsenal’s last five matches. His understanding with Bukayo Saka on the right flank has been a key part of Arsenal’s attacking and defensive balance.
The former Brighton defender also delivered a strong display in Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final victory over Atletico Madrid, helping the club secure passage to the final against PSG.
His absence leaves Arteta with limited defensive options ahead of the closing weeks of the season. Jurrien Timber remains sidelined with a groin injury, while Declan Rice was briefly deployed at right-back during the win over West Ham before Cristhian Mosquera filled the role.
Mosquera, 21, is highly rated within the club, but the prospect of facing PSG’s attack in a Champions League final would present one of the biggest tests of his career.
White’s injury is also expected to end his hopes of representing England at the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
England manager Thomas Tuchel is scheduled to announce his squad on May 22, but Arsenal’s recovery timeline suggests White will not return in time for the tournament.
The setback follows White’s return to the England squad earlier this year after an absence of more than three years. He featured in friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March and scored in the draw against Uruguay.
White joined Arsenal from Brighton in 2021 and has since become one of the club’s most dependable defenders under Arteta, operating both at centre-back and right-back during his time in north London.
