Ben White is poised to make his first start since November as Arsenal take on PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League last-16 second leg on Wednesday.
The 27-year-old defender underwent knee surgery in November and only returned to action on February 22, making a brief substitute appearance against West Ham.
Since then, White has featured twice off the bench, accumulating a total of just 18 minutes. Now, he is ready to return to the starting lineup.
Arsenal head into the clash with a commanding 7-1 aggregate lead over PSV, putting them in a strong position to progress. However, manager Mikel Arteta remains cautious about White’s workload.
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“We have to manage him carefully because he was still dealing with some issues regarding the load,” said Arteta.
“We were very cautious to ensure that when he comes back, he can sustain that level and avoid setbacks. But I think he’s in a good position now to start.”
England Recall on the Horizon?
A return to the starting XI could be timely for White, as England boss Thomas Tuchel is set to announce his first squad on Friday since taking charge.
White has not played for England since the 2022 World Cup, having taken a self-imposed break from international duty after leaving the tournament early.
Tuchel had previously expressed interest in speaking with the Arsenal star, and discussions have now reportedly taken place. However, it remains unclear whether White will accept a call-up or continue his absence from the national team.
White’s versatility capable of playing right-back, centre-back, and even in midfield could make him an appealing option for Tuchel as he looks to reshape England’s defensive options.
Arteta to Rotate Ahead of Chelsea Clash
With a crucial Premier League showdown against Chelsea on Sunday, Arteta is expected to rotate his squad for the PSV fixture.
“It is a unique situation to be 7-1 up on aggregate,” Arteta admitted. “But we have to respect how the game played out last week.
Everything went in our favor from the start, but we need to earn the right to control the game again.”
With White now fit and ready, his return could provide a significant boost for Arsenal in both domestic and European competition.
