Mikel Arteta explains Ben White Arsenal absence against Brentford as Real Madrid fear emerges

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed the reason for Ben White's absence from the matchday squad against Brentford on Saturday evening.

The Englishman was expected to make the first XI for the Premier League London derby, offering Jurrien Timber a rest ahead of Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final second leg with Real Madrid.

However, White was instead an unexpected absentee for the Gunners at the Emirates, as Thomas Partey instead started at right-back with Timber on the bench as expected.

Following reports that White had sustained a blow in training, Arteta confirmed as such to Sky Sports, saying: "Ben White couldn't be in the squad because he felt something again post-training yesterday, so that limits the solutions we have because Jurrien [Timber] wasn't ready to start the game either."

The former Brighton & Hove Albion man is therefore an early doubt for the trip to the Bernabeu next week, where Arsenal have a 3-0 lead to protect after an incredible first-leg performance.

White has been restricted to just 18 appearances across all competitions for Arsenal in the 2024-25 season, having spent close to three months out after undergoing knee surgery in November.