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Is Ben White Playing in Arsenal vs Brighton

Why is Ben White Not Playing For Arsenal vs Brighton

Swastik Debnath

Published - Dec 27, 2025, 02:00 PM

5 min

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Summary

Arsenal host Brighton & Hove Albion on December 27 at the Emirates, sitting comfortably top of the Premier League after recent wins over Everton and Crystal Palace.
Despite strong form, Arsenal continue to battle an injury crisis in defence, with Gabriel, Mosquera, and Saliba sidelined previously, though Saliba is back in training, and Ben White is now added to the concern list.
With title rivals closing in, Arsenal fans are anxiously asking, “Is Ben White playing today?”, as his availability could be crucial in maintaining the Gunners’ grip on the title race.

Arsenal are sitting comfortably at the top of the Premier League standings. They are preparing to play Brighton & Hove Albion this Saturday, December 27, at the Emirates Stadium.

The team led by Mikel Arteta are confident going into this match. This comes after a valiant 1-0 victory over Everton. Viktor Gyokeres scored all three points in that game with a brilliant penalty kick in the first half.

Earlier this week, the Gunners also displayed a great deal of stubbornness. In a close Carabao Cup quarterfinal shootout, they eliminated Crystal Palace. The squad's fitness is being put to the test by this hectic schedule. They appear to have enough talent in the ranks, though, based on their recent performance.

Despite their top performances in the league and European commitments, there has always been an ongoing problem for the Gunners: an injury crisis. Although they have signed multiple options in the backline, still, multiple of their big-name defenders are sidelined due to injury. One of the best centre-backs Gabriel, Mosquera, and Saliba were injured and sidelined for over a month, but for the Gunners, the good news is that Saliba is recovering and attending the training sessions; however, a new name has been included in that list: their long-serving defender and a good option at right-back, Ben White.

Now, for the Arsenal fans, the bigger picture: “Is Ben White playing today or not?” As Man City, Aston Villa, and some big names are closing the gap with the league leaders, and this time point drops might see an end to their domination in the title race.

Is Ben White Playing in Arsenal vs Brighton: Official Verdict

If you are among those fans who are still wondering, “Is Ben White playing today or not?” Then we have bad news for you, as he will be sidelined due to a hamstring injury. Ben White injury might cause a problem for them, as they are eagerly waiting to maintain their lead with a win over Brighton, and Ben White injury leaves a few options for Mikel Arteta in the backline.

In the recent pre-match press conference, Brighton boss Fabian Hurzler confirmed that many of his first team are set to make a comeback in their trip to North London from injury. Mikel Arteta signed Ben White in 2021 from Brighton. Initially, he was a centre-back, but under Mikel Arteta, he has been seen playing in the right-back position comfortably. While talking with a BBC Arsenal reporter, the BBC has stated on “Is Ben White playing in Arsenal vs Brighton?” Let's take a look at his verdict.

"That's right, Ben White did join Arsenal as a centre-back and had a huge impact on the team in that position when the Gunners had their unexpected title charge.
"But ever since he has been moved to right-back, it seems as though that is where Mikel Arteta sees him.
"The biggest show of this is the fact that Jurrien Timber has played at centre-back while Ben White has been on the pitch at right-back.
"There is also the point that White creates such good attacking situations when he links up with Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard.
"Centre-back is a hard place to break into the Arsenal team and it has got harder with the signings of Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie.
"White has struggled for fitness too so that, linked with the options at centre-back, seem to be why Arteta is content to use him at right-back."

Ben White's Return Date

Mikel Arteta hasn't stated anything on the return date of Ben White, and no official statement has been released by the Gunners. Ben White injury against Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup will be crucial for the title race ahead. We're hoping for a sooner recovery for the English international.

Arsenal vs Brighton: Injury List and Team News

After Tuesday's EFL Cup victory over Crystal Palace, where Arsenal made eight changes from the team that defeated Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium last weekend, Mikel Arteta is anticipated to rotate his squad in just three days.

Gabriel Martinelli, who was arguably Arsenal's best player in the first half against Palace, was forced off with a knock just before halftime and replaced early in the second half by Leandro Trossard. Piero Hincapie, an Ecuador international, missed the midweek cup match due to an injury sustained against Everton, but he may return this weekend. David Raya, who has kept more clean sheets than any other keeper in the division since making his top-flight debut with Brentford in August 2021, is expected to make his 150th Premier League appearance for Arsenal.