New Delhi: Arsenal faces a significant setback as right-back Ben White has been ruled out of the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain due to a knee injury sustained during the Premier League match against West Ham on Sunday. White left the field after colliding with Crysensio Summerville and was substituted just 28 minutes into the match, with Martin Zubimendi taking his place.
According to a report from The Athletic, the full extent of White’s injury is currently being assessed. Initial evaluations suggest a right knee ligament injury, indicating possible damage to the MCL. He will miss the remainder of the season and is also at risk of being sidelined for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Arsenal’s medical team is overseeing White’s recovery and rehabilitation, aiming for him to return in time for the start of pre-season preparations.
White’s absence compounds Arsenal’s injury woes. The team is already missing right-back Jurrien Timber, who has been unavailable since March 14, following an injury in a match against Everton.
In Timber’s absence, White had stepped up, establishing himself as a crucial player, having started in 10 of the last 12 matches across all competitions. His performances were particularly notable during Arsenal’s victory over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semifinal.
With the Champions League final approaching on May 30 in Budapest, Arsenal is now looking to Cristhian Mosquera to fill the right-back position. Though primarily a centre-back, Mosquera has proven his worth with his impressive play after being signed for £13 million, quickly surpassing that value in contributions to the team.
One of Mosquera’s upcoming challenges will be to contain the highly effective winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who has consistently posed problems for opposing defenses recently.
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