Mikel Arteta provides fitness updates on Ben White & Bukayo Saka

Mikel Arteta hopes Ben White will soon make his long-awaited comeback from a knee injury but had little to say on Bukayo Saka's recovery.

Arsenal have been without their typical right-sided starters from the previous two campaigns for a chunk of 2024/25, with Saka tearing his hamstring just before Christmas after White underwent surgery in mid-November.

White and Saka teamed up to devastating effect while the Gunners ascended from top-four hopefuls into serious title contenders, and their absences have considerably altered the dynamics down the right flank - arguably aiding their balance in attack.

While Jurrien Timber has been impressively consistent in White's place, Arteta's turned to multiple options in a bid to mitigate Saka's gaping void.

Mikel Arteta provides fitness updates on Ben White & Bukayo Saka

Many suspected Arsenal's season would come to a shuddering halt after Saka succumbed at Selhurst Park, but Arteta's sturdy foundations have kept the Gunners afloat. They progressed into the Champions League round of 16 at a canter and are six points behind Liverpool in the Premier League title race. There have been more struggles in the domestic cups, and only an unlikely comeback at St. James' Park will see them into the Carabao Cup final.

Despite the injuries and lack of winter arrivals, Arsenal still hold out hope of enjoying a special season, with the return of Saka, in particular, serving as the boost required to get them over the line down the stretch.

We expect the superstar winger to be back at some point in March, although Arteta suggested on Tuesday that he doesn't yet know when Saka will make his return. Regarding White, the boss provided a few more details (via arsenal.com): "Ben is still out. Hopefully, after the break, he will be available."

After Manchester United dumped us out of the FA Cup in January, Arteta and his squad are making the most of a free weekend by returning to Dubai for a warm-weather training camp. The boys fly out after Wednesday's cup tie at St. James' Park and will return in plenty of time for the Premier League clash at Leicester in ten days time.

Arteta hopes White will be ready for the trip to the King Power after almost three months out, with the squad enjoying a much-needed refresh after a hectic January. No one deserves White's return more than Timber!

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