Arsenal receive major White boost as Arteta addresses Saka injury ‘setback’ | OneFootball

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta confirmed that Ben White is available to play against Leicester City this weekend following his recovery from a lengthy injury.

It’s a much needed boost for the Gunners, who are missing five key players after Kai Havertz injured his hamstring this week, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

The right-back has been out of action since November after undergoing knee surgery to fix a long-term issue.

Arsenal receive Ben White boost amid Bukayo Saka injury ‘setback’

“Ben has been training more regularly now, so we still have to manage his load a lot, but he’s going to be available,” Arteta said at his pre-match press conference.

The Arsenal boss also dismissed reports that Bukayo Saka had suffered a setback in his recovery from the thigh injury he sustained in December. The winger was spotted gym training in Dubai this week, but he won’t be rushed into making a return.

“In a 10-day injury, three days is a lot because it’s 30 per cent. In three months, a week is probably not that much, but it’s too early,” said Arteta.

“He’s in early stages of rehab. When we get a little bit closer and he starts to do more demanding stuff and more load, we will see where he is.”

Arteta admitted that Havertz’ injury is a “big blow” ahead of a crucial part of the season for Arsenal.

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“We were having a great campaign in Dubai, recharging, training, having some time off and connecting again with nature and a different environment.

“And then the injury happened in a very unexpected way, certainly.

“It’s a big blow because of the injuries that we have, but fortunately, we’ve been through a lot this season.

“We have played without Saliba, without Ben White all season, (Takehiro) Tomiyasu all season, (Riccardo) Calafiori two months, (Mikel) Merino two months, Martin Odegaard two months, Bukayo Saka three months, Gabriel Jesus… all of them,” he said.

“That’s the challenge I had. I love it and look forward because we are where we still are, with all the things I have mentioned, on top of playing four times with 10 men.

“Let’s see what the team is made of.

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