Arsenal's Injury Toll Deepens: Timber Ready to Step Up as White Heads to Weeks on the Sidelines
15 December 2025
Injury Update
Arsenal will be without defender Ben White for at least a month after a hamstring injury, according to The Sun.
The 28-year-old right-back picked up the problem in the first half of Arsenal's 2-1 win over Wolverhampton on Saturday.
White underwent medical tests on Sunday, showing a four-to-five week lay-off and delivering another blow to manager Mikel Arteta as injury troubles bite the defence.
Cristian Musquera has an ankle issue that will keep him out until next month, while Gabriel Magalhaes has not returned to full training due to a hamstring injury.
Jurrien Timber is expected to fill the right-back slot for the visit of Everton on Saturday as Arteta's defensive options shrink, with left-back Ricardo Calafiori available again after suspension.
White has previously endured a different hamstring problem at the start of the season and missed a large chunk of last season with a knee issue.
Kai Havertz and Max Dowman remain sidelined with injuries.
White started the last three Premier League games for Arsenal, and also played in the Champions League win over Club Brugge last week.
The English defender has played 11 times this season, but had to leave the Wolves game midway through after about half an hour, with Miles Lewis-Skeli coming on.
White had sat on the bench for 10 consecutive Premier League matches before returning in the Brentford game at the Emirates earlier this month.
Arsenal travel to face Everton on Saturday, aiming to stay top of the Premier League heading into Christmas. Arteta's side currently lead Manchester City by two points.
What’s Next for Arsenal
With White out, Arteta will lean on a reshuffled backline as they chase a festive title push and navigate a tight league table.
Expect Timber to cover right-back duties against Everton, while Calafiori's suspension cooldown gives wider options in defense.
As injuries linger, the squad will hope the return of players like Gabriel Magalhaes and others can stabilize the defence before the busy winter schedule.
Punchlines: Arsenal’s medical staff must be excellent at hide-and-seek; injuries keep finding them while the matches go on. And if injuries were transfers, Arteta would have a full squad by now — at least the season would come with its own insurance policy for the holidays.
