England boss casts doubt on Arteta’s injury update

Mikel Arteta had offered a positive update on Ben White in his pre-Brighton & Hove Albion press conference, but England manager Thomas Tuchel has cast doubt on the situation.

Following Arteta’s comments that “Ben is all good”, Tuchel gave a very different assessment in relation to the upcoming international break.

“Ben pulled out with an injury,” Tuchel claimed. “He’s had a fantastic start with Arsenal to the season. He was back to his very best on the [right] side as a pair with Bukayo Saka which could be very valuable to us.

“But he was unfortunately not available for for the World Cup and he is not available now.”

If White is indeed unavailable for England due to injury, then that would also rule him out of the Brighton game on Saturday.

In possible further evidence that Arsenal’s defensive injury situation hasn’t entirely cleared up, youth defenders Marli Salmon, Jaden Dixon, and Marcell Washington were all seemingly held back from the u21 squad on Friday.

Arsenal may have held the trio back as a precautionary measure, but it’s also possible Arteta may have to call on one or more of his academy players if his senior defenders aren’t fit.

As well as White, Arsenal fans are also sweating on the fitness of Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie, with William Saliba definitely ruled out.

Jurrien Timber appears to be fine though, particularly as he’s been included in the Netherlands’ squad for the international break.