Mikel Arteta gives Ben White return estimate | OneFootball

Mikel Arteta has provided a cautious update on Ben White’s recovery, confirming the defender is still “a few weeks away” from returning to Arsenal’s squad.

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Ben White’s absence from Arsenal’s backline has been a significant blow, and fans are eagerly awaiting the return of the versatile defender. However, manager Mikel Arteta has provided a cautious update on White’s recovery timeline, suggesting the 26-year-old remains “a few weeks away” from rejoining the squad.

White, who underwent a knee procedure during the last international break, has been sidelined since November. Initially, Arsenal hoped he would be out for four to six weeks, but Arteta later confirmed the recovery would take longer. “Ben is going to be out for months,” Arteta said in November before Arsenal’s match against Nottingham Forest.

“It’s been different kinds of struggles. It’s never been the same thing. It’s not been improving. It got to a point where we have to protect the player. Unfortunately, it’s going to be a few months.”

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The latest update came before Arsenal’s clash with Brighton, where Arteta remained optimistic but realistic.

“It might be a possibility [to return before the end of January] but he hasn’t done anything with the team. The knee looks good, he’s reacted really well, and in the first few weeks everything is going smoothly,” Arteta said.

“Now we need to start the load, and that means he needs to get through many more things that up to now he hasn’t been able to do, but hopefully it’s good. His work ethic is unbelievable and naturally, he’s a really gifted player so I am very positive that we’re going to have him quite early, but I don’t know when.”

White’s absence has been deeply felt, especially with Arsenal’s defensive unit stretched thin due to injuries to Takehiro Tomiyasu, Riccardo Calafiori, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Kieran Tierney. A pivotal figure in Arteta’s tactical setup, White’s ability to adapt to various roles in the backline has made him indispensable.