Arsenal Receive Defensive Boost Before Sunderland Trip
White cleared as Timber and Mosquera near Arsenal returns
Arsenal’s defensive options are beginning to strengthen before the Premier League visit to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, although William Saliba remains without a return date. The London club has spent an intense autumn schedule managing recent league fixtures against Aston Villa and Chelsea alongside European commitments.
Ben White is available for selection after the discomfort that forced him off during Wednesday’s 1-0 UEFA Champions League victory over Napoli. Mikel Arteta confirmed the right-back had avoided a serious setback, saying: “He’s fine.”
White’s withdrawal led to a late adjustment against the Italian side. Martin Zubimendi came off the bench, while England international Declan Rice moved from central midfield to cover at right-back for the closing minutes.
The 26-year-old White missed the end of last season because of a severe knee ligament injury, which also ruled him out of World Cup participation. Arsenal approached the latest concern cautiously because of his lengthy rehabilitation, but tests found no structural damage from the Napoli match.
Jurrien Timber is also moving toward a return after a long absence. The Netherlands international sustained a severe groin injury during a Premier League match against Everton in March, and his involvement afterward was limited to a brief substitute appearance late in Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
A setback during the summer extended Timber’s recovery and prevented him from representing the Netherlands at the World Cup. He has since completed multiple full training sessions with the primary squad and travelled with Arsenal to Naples earlier in the week, although he did not play.
Arteta said Timber was entering the final stage of his return to competitive football before the Sunderland match: “Let’s see, we have another training session. He’s been doing really well, he’s training with us for a few days and he looks in good shape.”
Cristhian Mosquera’s recovery is being assessed on a similar short-term basis. The Spanish international central defender had established himself alongside Brazilian center-back Gabriel Magalhães early in the campaign, when Arsenal were dealing with a defensive shortage, but a muscle injury in the 1-0 Premier League win over Aston Villa ruled him out against Chelsea and Napoli.
In Mosquera’s absence, £55 million summer signing Ezri Konsa partnered Gabriel in central defense and delivered solid backline performances. Arteta said Mosquera could return soon: “He’s doing really well. Let’s see if he can get this game or the next one. It will be around that time I think.”
Saliba’s position is less certain. Arsenal have provided no updated timeframe for the French center-back, who remains sidelined after aggravating a persistent back injury while on international duty at the World Cup. He continues treatment away from main team training and is expected to need further recovery time before match action.
Arsenal’s midfield has also received a physical boost through Bruno Guimaraes, who returned against Napoli after recovering from the knock sustained during the win over Aston Villa. With several players moving back toward full training, Arteta’s squad is gradually restoring its defensive rotation while preparing to maintain domestic momentum at the Stadium of Light.
