An unexpected option has emerged for Arsenal's Aston Villa clash

The last few days of December have been somewhat kind for Arsenal. They have won their last three games, even though a couple of them were supposed to be very tough. They have also seen some of their most important players return from injury, which is great news.

Gabriel returned from injury to play a few minutes against Brighton, while Gabriel Jesus played his first minutes in a year a few weeks prior.

Hand Of Arsenal talked about Kai Havertz hopefully making a return to footballing action after quite a few months.

An unexpected option has emerged for Arsenal's Aston Villa clash

What's more is that there is another player - far more unexpected than Havertz - who could be selected for the squad against Aston Villa on Tuesday.

According to the same source that broke Havertz's story on Monday, Ben White has a slight, outside chance of making the squad for the Villa game on Tuesday night.

That is sensational news as long as the player is not being rushed back from injury.

I presume he won't be, given his track record with injuries in the last few years. Arsenal would be cautious with him, which is why he probably will not play much in this game even if his name is included in the squad.

Of course, if he is fully fit and there is no chance of aggravating the injury, then Declan Rice would probably become the happiest person in the squad.

Rice played at right-back in White and Jurrien Timber's absence against Brighton on the weekend, and he actually did a really good job.

However, Arsenal clearly missed his presence in midfield, and it was clear on the day that this is only a one-time thing.

Arsenal need Rice in midfield for as long as possible, and this return from injury for White could allow that if he is 100% fit.

Rice may still have to play as a right-back for at least some part of the game, solely because even if White starts - which he may not - he probably will not play the entire game.

However, it is good that White is able to even be in contention to be in the squad for the game against Villa.

Firslty, Villa are in really good form, and their midfield is already solid. If you put Rice out of Arsenal's midfield and put him at right-back, you miss a lot of what makes this Arsenal side great, and they could potentially struggle against an extremely physical and smart Villa midfield.

Time will tell what happens, but White coming back could only be good things for this Arsenal team.