Arsenal are set to face West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon, with a major boost as defender Ben White has been declared fit by Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners are aiming to close the gap on league leaders Liverpool, having had a full week of rest following their 2-0 victory over Leicester. With West Ham winning only one of their last six matches under Graham Potter, Arsenal will be confident heading into the 3 PM kickoff.
Liverpool currently hold an 11-point lead over Arsenal, but the North London club can apply pressure with a win, especially since Arne Slot’s side will only play against Manchester City on Sunday. Arteta remains optimistic, recognizing that plenty can change in the remaining 13 league games.
Ben White Returns from Injury
Injury troubles have plagued Arsenal recently, with Kai Havertz and Takehiro Tomiyasu sidelined for the rest of the season following surgery. However, Arteta confirmed that White is fit to play after recovering from a knee issue that kept him out since November 10.
“No major updates. The long-term absentees remain unavailable,” Arteta stated. “But the rest are fit. Ben is ready to play and will be part of the squad.”
White has missed 21 matches due to surgery but now competes with Jurrien Timber for the right-back position.
Champions League Fixtures and Road Ahead
Arsenal have been drawn against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League Round of 16. Since they finished third in their group, they avoided a play-off and will have the advantage of playing the second leg at home.
The Gunners previously defeated PSV 4-0 in the group stages in September 2023 and later secured a 1-1 draw in the final match, having already confirmed their progression.
If Arsenal advance, they will face either Real Madrid or Atletico Madrid in the quarter-finals. The semi-final could potentially see them face one of Liverpool, Paris Saint-Germain, Club Brugge, or Aston Villa.
Arteta’s ‘Obsession’ with Winning the Title
During his press conference, Arteta was questioned about his determination to win the Premier League with Arsenal.
“I’m obsessed with doing everything I can every single day to achieve it,” he admitted.
When asked to elaborate, he explained, “I’m very obsessed with the process. That’s what consumes my entire day. The outcome is something I cannot control.”
With Arsenal currently on a 15-game unbeaten run in the league, Arteta emphasized the importance of momentum.
“That’s what we need, and it’s crucial,” he said. “When your belief grows, results follow, performances improve, and there’s a shift in energy. At that point, anything is possible.”
