Mikel Arteta has said that a January return “might be a possibility” for Ben White as the defender has progressed well after undergoing a procedure on his knee in the November international break.
White has missed eight league games since then, in which Arsenal have won six and drawn two. With nine matches in January across four competitions, focus remains on potential returning players, with fellow defender Takehiro Tomiyasu also on the mend.
“Ben is still a few weeks away,” Arteta said in his press conference ahead of the game with Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday. “It might be a possibility (that he returns in January) but he hasn’t done anything yet with the team.
“The knee looks good, he has reacted really well the first few weeks, everything going smoothly and now he needs to start to load in that knee and needs to start to get through many more things that up till now he hasn’t been able to do but hopefully, he’s good. His work ethic is unbelievable, naturally he’s a very gifted player so I’m very positive that we’re going to have him quite early but I don’t know when.
“Tomi has done some stuff on the pitch but it was a long-term injury and we need to see how quickly he can progress, and how that knee reacts. But hopefully (he) will be good.”
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White and Tomiyasu not returning in the short-term, and Jurrien Timber suspended for the trip to Brighton, could see Thomas Partey move to right-back. The 31-year-old has played there six times this season, but his last four appearances have come in midfield.
Arteta is expecting to be with Kai Havertz, who missed Arsenal’s 3-1 win over Brentford through illness, however.
“Yes I think so,” he said when asked if the German would be available, before adding: “The (other) ones with the illness, I think they are going to be okay. They will train today, and if everyone is fine they should be available.”
Arsenal have also been without Raheem Sterling since mid-December due to a knee injury. The winger, on loan from Chelsea, has made 11 appearances this season and could be an option in the absence of Bukayo Saka when back fit.
“He’s starting to do some stuff on the pitch, so that’s great news,” Arteta said of the 30-year-old. “As quickly as possible we want him available. Let’s see how he progresses next week and then see can get him available for the following week.”
(Warren Little/Getty Images)
