Is Real Sociedad’s sporting director heading to Arsenal? (1:26)
Gab Marcotti and Julien Laurens react to reports linking Arsenal with Real Sociedad’s outgoing sporting director Roberto Olabe. (1:26)
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James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FCNov 14, 2024, 07:28 AM ET
Arsenal have suffered another injury setback after Ben White underwent a minor knee operation earlier this week, sources have told ESPN.
The timescale of his return is unclear and dependent on the success of the surgery but the 27-year-old is set to miss multiple matches. One source has suggested there are fears White could be sidelined for several weeks but there is no confirmation at this stage.
Arsenal face a busy return to action following the international break with Nottingham Forest at home on Nov. 23 before a midweek trip to Sporting CP and then a visit to West Ham.
White has been carrying a problem for several weeks with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta explaining earlier this month that he had “a little issue, so we have to protect him.”
With White opting not to make himself available for England, the break from first-team football afforded Arsenal an opportunity to address the problem which has limited his involvement this season.
The defender was unable to start key games at Manchester City and Newcastle and did not feature at all against Paris Saint-Germain in October.
After Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Chelsea, Arteta admitted he was “praying” to avoid further injury problems after being without several players at times this season including substantial lay-offs for captain Martin Ødegaard, Mikel Merino and Jurriën Timber.
Arsenal remain without Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney due to injury.
