Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Ben White is unlikely to be available for the trip to Manchester City on Saturday.
The £50m summer signing missed yesterday’s 2-0 defeat to Chelsea after testing positive for the virus and when asked whether the defender could return for the weekend, Arteta replied:
“I don’t think so no.”
The Gunners face West Brom in the Carabao Cup first up during the week, but White’s absence will be more keenly felt at the Etihad Stadium, and fans on Twitter are already resigned to another defeat:
Can we just skip that game
— Mujeeb Ahmed (@mujeeb179420) August 22, 2021
It’s going to be hell
— Richmond Owusu (@kofiadom__) August 22, 2021
6-0 incoming
— Rinkiya ke pitaji (@rinkiya_kepapa) August 22, 2021
pic.twitter.com/54S8aY1d8v
— Chris11 (@arsenalbleedred) August 22, 2021
We are finished
— Arrowhead Szn | Etienne (@mahomestokelcee) August 22, 2021
Can international break come earlier plis.
— Gooners Fanatic (@HEMENDRAHEBIRON) August 22, 2021
Just forfeit it
— J ? (@Jose_afc_x) August 22, 2021
IM DONE ACTUALLY DONE WTF
— Lukman Ali (@lukmanali1221) August 22, 2021
I think this club is probably cursed. We need to look into it.
??— AnderSax (@andersax_) August 22, 2021
The gift that just keeps giving ?
— Ravs Hayre (@ravs19755) August 22, 2021
With Kieran Tierney having also suffered an injury yesterday, things are looking pretty bleak for Arteta’s side, and the new season has hardly begun.
Optimism is in short supply among supporters at the moment, and you can understand why. They will be hoping, though, that the club can get their first win of the campaign under their belt when they travel to the Hawthorns on Wednesday.