Arsenal defender Ben White has been ruled out for the rest of the season with medial ligament damage and his World Cup participation is highly doubtful.
White was forced off injured in the first half against West Ham on Sunday. The player will miss the start of the Premier League season, when Arsenal will face Burnley and Crystal Palace in their bid to win their first top-flight title in 22 years, and the Champions League final at the end of May.
White, who was pulled back into the England squad by manager Thomas Tuchel in March due to the injury, is also highly unlikely to feature in this summer’s North American World Cup.
Coach Tuchel will select the tournament squad on Friday, May 22nd.
Arsenal said in a statement: “Our medical team is currently managing Ben’s recovery and rehabilitation program and everyone is fully committed to supporting Ben’s goals as he begins his pre-season preparations.”
What is Arsenal’s right-back doing now?
Sam Blitz of Sky Sports:
Arsenal are currently lacking a right-back at the most crucial stage of the season.
Mikel Arteta is hoping to win the club’s first Premier League title in 22 years and their first Champions League trophy. But now we need to rethink the right side of the defense.
As well as this blow coming to White, Arteta was asked about the Dutchman’s fitness on Friday and was not at all confident about facing him again this season. Timber has not played since the 2-0 win over Everton on March 14.
Arsenal also have Julian Timber out injured
So what are the Gunners doing now? Cristian Mosquera is the most likely candidate to take up the right-back mantle between now and the end of the season.
The Spaniard has played 430 minutes in this position in the Premier League and Champions League this season, playing the role in the second half of the win over West Ham.
Cristian Mosquera’s Premier League and European minutes this season
Mosquera has a wealth of experience at Arsenal this season, having started at right-back against Manchester City in April, and could play in that role.
But a player who started just 17 games for Arsenal was set to feature in three of the biggest games in Arsenal’s history.
Declan Rice is also an option at right-back if needed. But the England midfielder is a vital cog in the midfield and Arteta’s experiment with placing Rice at right-back for 20 minutes against West Ham on Sunday did not work.
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Gary Neville analyzes Mikel Arteta’s tactical reshuffle against West Ham and explains why moving Declan Rice to right-back caused Arsenal to lose control of the game.
Arsenal’s remaining games of the season
May 18: Burnley (H), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 8pm
24 May: Crystal Palace (A), Premier League, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 4pm
May 30: Paris Saint-Germain (N), Champions League Final, 5pm kick-off
England’s World Cup preparations and match schedule
June 1: England likely to fly to Miami
June 6: Friendly match at Tampa Bay vs. New Zealand
June 10: Friendly match in Orlando vs. Costa Rice
June 12/13: England fly to Kansas City World Cup base
June 17: England vs. Croatia – World Cup opener, Dallas
June 23: England vs Ghana – World Cup Group Stage
June 27: England vs Panama – World Cup Group Stage
