LONDON — Arsenal’s right-back Ben White will be out of action for “a few months” following an operation to address a persistent knee injury, according to manager Mikel Arteta who spoke on Friday.

The 27-year-old defender had been managing the discomfort while playing but ultimately decided that surgery was the most prudent course of action during the recent international break. Arteta stated during a press conference, “We had to make a decision as it hasn’t improved in the last few weeks. We are well aware that Ben will push himself to the limit, but it became necessary to prioritize his well-being. We opted for the surgery, and he consented. Unfortunately, this means he will be sidelined for a few months.”

When pressed for a more precise recovery timeline, Arteta mentioned, “We need to monitor his recovery after the surgery. I don’t anticipate it being a six-month layoff, but I can’t provide an exact timeframe just yet.”

Arsenal will take on Nottingham Forest this Saturday, seeking to gain an advantage over the team that has been one of the unexpected performers in the Premier League this season. Both clubs currently sit at 19 points, with Arsenal maintaining fourth place due to a superior goal difference.

In a positive update for fans, Arteta reported that Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard, and Riccardo Calafiori all participated in team training on Friday, alleviating concerns about their fitness before the upcoming match.