Tottenham vs. Arsenal: Why Ben White is missing from North London derby as Mikel Arteta gives injury update

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has explained why Ben White is absent from the Gunners' ranks for Sunday's Premier League North London derby with Tottenham Hotspur.

The Englishman was an unexpected omission from the visitors' squad at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, raising fears of yet another fitness setback for the injury-plagued defender.

Jurrien Timber was always expected to start at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but White was at least in the squad for Wednesday's 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, so his absence hinted at a fresh blow in the past couple of days.

Speaking to Sky Sports News in the lead-up to the game, Arteta refused to go into specifics surrounding White's concern, although he suggested that the defender will not be sidelined for long.

"Ben, he had a little niggle yesterday and he couldn't make the game," Arteta said, while also explaining that the fixture came slightly too soon for Kai Havertz to return from his muscular concern.

White and Havertz can also be classed as doubts for next weekend's crunch clash with Chelsea at the Emirates, but Martin Odegaard was at least named on the bench on Sunday after a brief absence with a knee issue.

Ben White suffers new injury: Is his time at Arsenal up?

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White missing Arsenal games has been a constant theme ever since his first month at the club; he was absent from a 2-0 home defeat to Chelsea in August 2021 after contracting coronavirus.

Since then, the former England international has been beset by a plethora of injury issues, and his latest concern is already his third of the season, following a previous knock and hamstring strain.

White has been restricted to 19 appearances in all tournaments this season, including just five Premier League starts, although he was starting to show flashes of his best self again in December before a fresh hamstring injury.

Now 28 years old, White should be in the prime of his career, and when fully fit, the former Brighton & Hove Albion man is a wonderful connector for Bukayo Saka to link up with on the right-hand side.

However, the defender's repeated fitness concerns may be taken into account by Arsenal's decision makers this summer, which may be the Gunners' final chance to recoup a respectable fee for White, who is under contract until 2028.

If Arteta can bring in a new, younger right-back to compete with Timber - such as a Tino Livramento or Michael Kayode - White could soon find himself surplus to requirements.