Why Arsenal star Ben White isn't playing vs Leicester as Mikel Arteta injury crisis continues

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Ben White has not been selected for Arsenal's match against Leicester City despite Mikel Arteta expressing his hope that the defender would be fit to play. After only making the bench last weekend at Manchester City, White was left out for the Carabao Cup rout of Bolton and hasn't even made it as a substitute here.

football.london understands that it is a groin issue that keeps him out against Leicester. Arteta had said that he expected White to be in the squad during his pre-match press conference on Friday, as he addressed a host of injury problems for his side including David Raya, Jurrien Timber, and Riccardo Calafiori.

"Jurrien was able to take part in training today, that’s good news, so he’ll be available in the squad," Arteta explained. "Hopefully Ben too."

White was once more left out though, just days after playing with a niggle. "He would run through a brick wall for you," the Arsenal head coach said after the City draw. He was forced to bring on the 26-year-old at half-time following Leandro Trossard's red card.

Arteta also confirmed that White played through the pain at the Etihad Stadium. He was afforded a rest on Wednesday though with a youthful side doing the business against League One opposition. Fortunately for Arteta, Raya was deemed fit to play against Leicester.

He returned back into the side in north London after Jack Porter played as the youngest Arsenal starter ever. Neto, who was cup-tied against Bolton, is also on the bench.

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Timber and Calafiori both got the nod to start though in an attacking Arsenal XI including Kai Havertz, Trossard, Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli. It is a young bench named by Arteta.

Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Rice, Havertz; Saka, Martinelli, Trossard.

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