Gary Neville says Ben White will miss Arsenal's final 2 games

gary neville pointed to the cost of Ben White's knee injury after Arsenal ruled the defender out for the rest of the season. White will miss the last two Premier League games and the Champions League final after hurting his knee in the first half of Sunday's 1-0 win at West Ham.

Arsenal said White has sustained a “significant medial ligament injury.” The club added: “Our medical team are now managing Ben's recovery and rehabilitation programme, with everyone fully focused on supporting the aim of Ben being ready for the start of our pre-season preparations.”

White's 30 Arsenal appearances

White has made 30 appearances in all competitions this season and started the past five Arsenal games. He has only started nine league games, so the injury arrives after a spell in which Mikel Arteta had begun using him more regularly.

That run included the match at West Ham, where White picked up the injury before Arsenal adjusted their back line. Arteta initially played Declan Rice at right-back, then moved Cristhian Mosquera into that position.

Tuchel's 22 May squad call

The timing also lands just before Thomas Tuchel names his squad for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico on 22 May. White returned to the England squad in March for the first time in more than three years and scored in England's draw against Uruguay.

For Arsenal, the absence removes a defender from the final two league matches and from the Champions League final on 30 May against Paris St-Germain. Jurrien Timber is still out with a groin injury, leaving Arteta with one less senior option as Arsenal close the season without White and with his recovery now focused on pre-season preparations.