Ben White is out for the season and potentially the World Cup too. Honestly, what a gut punch for Arsenal and England fans right now.
Look, the timing of this is absolutely brutal. Arsenal are still in the mix for the title, still dreaming, still telling themselves this is their year. And now they lose one of the most quietly brilliant defenders in the Premier League. Ben White doesn't get nearly enough credit. He's not flashy, he doesn't do the dramatic last ditch sliding tackle that ends up on everyone's Instagram. He just reads the game, positions himself perfectly, wins the ball cleanly and gets on with it. The kind of defender that only gets talked about when he's not there. Well, he's not there now. Let's see how much people start talking about him.
For Arsenal this is a real test of that squad depth Arteta keeps banging on about. They've built well, they've added numbers, but losing White for the run in is not something you just absorb without feeling it. Whoever slots in has some serious shoes to fill. Timber, Kiwior, whoever gets the nod, it is not the same and Arteta knows it even if he won't say it out loud in the press conference.
Then there's England. The World Cup is still a while away but these long knee injuries have a horrible habit of eating into timelines. You think you're fine, rehab goes well, then there's a setback, then another one. It's like when you think you're nearly home in traffic and then there's a diversion. Gareth Southgate's replacement has already got enough to think about with the squad rebuild without losing one of the best right backs in the country before a ball is even kicked.
White deserved a big tournament on the world stage. He's earned it. Hopefully the rehab goes smoothly, hopefully Arsenal cope, and hopefully this isn't the last we see of him this season because the lad is genuinely top drawer.
Let me know your thoughts.