Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Ben White is an injury concern ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid next Wednesday.
The 27-year-old defender was left out of the Gunners’ squad for Saturday’s Premier League match against Brentford, raising questions about his fitness. Thomas Partey filled in at right-back, while Jurrien Timber, who started in the position during the 3-0 win over Madrid at the Emirates, began the Brentford clash on the bench.
White featured briefly as a stoppage-time substitute in the first leg against Madrid, but Arteta revealed the defender experienced a setback in training on Friday.
“Ben White couldn’t be in the squad because he felt something again post-training yesterday,” Arteta said ahead of the Brentford match.
“That limits the solutions we have because Jurrien wasn’t ready to start the game either. Other players have played a lot of minutes and others deserve the opportunity to help the team.”
White’s potential absence could leave Arsenal light at the back for what promises to be a high-pressure night at the Santiago Bernabéu, with a semi-final place on the line.