22/12/2024

Arsenal sweat over Ben White and Gabriel's fitness ahead of Newcastle clash

Sábado 14 de Mayo del 2022

Arsenal sweat over Ben White and Gabriel's fitness ahead of Newcastle clash

Arsenal sweat over the fitness of centre-backs Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes in race for UEFA Champions League qualification

Arsenal sweat over the fitness of centre-backs Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes in race for UEFA Champions League qualification

Arsenal are desperate to clinch a spot in next season's UEFA Champions League and can do so by winning their last two Premier League fixtures.

North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur are just a point behind the Gunners in fifth after defeating the Gunners 3-0 on Thursday evening. Mikel Arteta and Co travel to St. James' Park on Monday night before hosting Everton at the Emirates Stadium next Sunday.

While Bukayo Saka has returned from injury ahead of the final set of fixtures, Arsenal boss Arteta still has a number of injuries to key players. With that in mind, football.london has taken a look at all of the fitness issues the Spaniard has to deal with.

Read more: Former Premier League referee delivers honest verdict on officiating during Tottenham vs Arsenal

Gabriel Magalhaes

Gabriel Magalhaes was substituted in the second half of the against Tottenham after appearing to damage his hamstring. He fell to the floor and clutched his upper leg.

Rob Holding was sent off earlier in the match, meaning that the Gunners finished the game with no central defenders on the pitch. Ben White was not introduced after missing the last two matches with injury.

Speaking on the Brazilian's situation in the post-match interview with Sky Sports, Arteta said: "He felt something so hopefully Ben is fit and Gabriel too otherwise we don’t have too many players available in the backline."

"It's a muscular injury," the Spaniard added. "Gabby normally is not a player that asks to come off the pitch so he’s done something and hopefully it’s not much because with Rob out and Ben having no training sessions we are really short in that position."

Expected return date: Newcastle United (A) - May 16

Read more here.

Ben White

White has been instrumental for Arteta's side since he signed from Brighton for £50million last summer. The England international offers a calming presence alongside the more physically dominant Magalhaes, with the two centre-backs forming a solid partnership at the back.

However, White has been sidelined in recent weeks, missing the 2-1 wins against West Ham United and Leeds United due to a hamstring strain. He was also left out of the north London derby when Gabriel was pulled from proceedings.

Speaking about the 24-year-old's fitness in his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Arteta said: "To take a risk in the situation of the game, it was not worth it. Now, we focus on Newcastle - hopefully Ben is fit."

Expected return date: Newcastle United (A) - May 16

Thomas Partey

Thomas Partey has been out of action with a thigh injury since last month's 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace. The Ghanaian international was not fit enough to play against Tottenham but football.london understands that the 28-year-old has been taking part in individual training sessions each day with the target of being back in the first team squad within the "next few weeks".

A source told football.london that the current best-case scenario for Partey would be for the tough-tackling midfielder to return for the final game of the season against Everton later this month. Still, the Gunners' medical staff are keen not to rush him back and complicate his recovery.

Expected return date: Everton (H) - May 22

Kieran Tierney

Scottish fullback Kieran Tierney will not play again this season after sustaining a long-term knee injury which he has since undergone surgery for.

Expected return date: Pre-Season

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