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Opinion
Mikel Arteta’s ‘sensational’ star could play for Arsenal for the first time this year vs West Ham United
Arsenal take on West Ham United in the Premier League next.
The Gunners can close the gap between themselves and Liverpool to just five points with a win against the Hammers on Saturday.
That makes this a huge game for Mikel Arteta and his men, who are desperate to win the Premier League title after coming second in each of the last two seasons.
All eyes are on who Arteta will play as a striker against West Ham, but there could be a change in defence too at the Emirates.
Ben White could play for Arsenal against West Ham
Ben White was one of Arsenal’s best players in the 2023/24 season.
The Englishman was outstanding at right-back and was arguably better than any other player in the entire Premier League in that position.
White, hailed as ‘sensational’ by Tony Cascarino while speaking on in October, had to play almost every game last season because of injury issues to Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu. That took its toll and he went down earlier this campaign.
Arsenal’s doctors decided that White needed surgery, and the England international has been out of action as a result since November.
White returned to full training during Arsenal’s trip to Dubai and he was an unused substitute in the game against Leicester City last weekend.
On Saturday, when West Ham come to the Emirates, White could get some minutes – either from the start or off the bench – for what would be his first appearance in 2025.
What Mikel Arteta has said about White playing vs West Ham
Timber has put in an amazing shift in White’s absence over the last few months.
The Dutchman has had to play almost every game and he has done a great job. However, he can finally get a break now with White fit and available.
Ahead of the game against West Ham, Arteta faced the media on Friday, and the Arsenal manager was asked about White’s availability.
The Spaniard confirmed that White is ready to play, but a decision on whether he will start will be made on the day of the game.
Arteta said, as per : “He is ready to play. Whether to start or not is a decision we will make tomorrow (Saturday), but he’s certainly available now to be a part of the group.”