Mikel Arteta has confirmed Ben White will miss the Everton match through injury, though he provided encouraging updates on the rehabilitations of Gabriel Magalhaes and Kai Havertz as they close in on first-team returns.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that defender Ben White will miss the upcoming Premier League clash against Everton after sustaining a hamstring injury.
While the blow thins Arsenal’s defensive options during a busy festive period, Arteta expressed optimism regarding the right-back’s recovery timeline.
He noted, “He’s evolving well, it’s not a major injury, but it will keep him out for a few games… Ben is a really fast healer as well.”
In more positive news for the league leaders, center-back Gabriel Magalhaes and forward Kai Havertz are both nearing returns to first-team action.
Gabriel has been absent since the international break with a hip issue, but he has now progressed to individual sessions on the grass.
Arteta praised the Brazilian’s dedication to his recovery, stating, “He’s pushing hard, as he always does… he’s doing pitch sessions, so he’s not too far.”
Kai Havertz is also showing significant progress after a long-term knee injury that has kept him out since August.
While Arteta remains cautious about rushing the German international back, he admitted the player is “progressing really well and quite fast in the last few weeks.”
The manager emphasized the need for a steady return to ensure long-term fitness, adding, “We need to go really firmly with every step that we take along the way.”