Arsenal gets injury boost ahead of West Ham clash

As the title run in begins, Arsenal gets back one of the host of stars currently injured.

Arsenal face West Ham at The Emirates in what is a superb opportunity for Mikel Arteta's side to cut Liverpool's lead at the summit of the Premier League to five points ahead of Arne Slot's teams' game against Manchester City.

And the Gunners, who have been dealt a horrible hand by the football gods regarding their injury list, might have just gotten a little reprieve ahead of the Hammers clash.

No, it isn't Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli, with the pair reportedly eyeing a return in late March or early April, but defender Ben White. And he could be in line to start as well.

Having been named on the bench in the 2-0 win over Leicester City last time out, and wasn't used by Arteta, now, the Spaniard might turn to his star right back as the Gunners look to close the gap on Liverpool.

But will he?

"He is ready to play," Arteta said via arsenal.com. "Whether to start or not is a decision we will make tomorrow, but he’s certainly available now to be a part of the group."

West Ham United FC v Arsenal FC - Premier League | Justin Setterfield/GettyImages

It is a timely boost for the Gunners as the title race is heating up and Arsenal will need all the help it can get, and Aston Villa gave them a helping hand against Liverpool, drawing 2-2.

That now gives Arsenal a great opportunity for the club to take advantage of it and put some real pressure on Liverpool ahead of their away clash against Manchester City. We haven't seen Slot's team really wobble that much this season, but there are a few signs of it now.

The win over Wolves was anything but assuring and then the 2-2 draw to Villa shows that not all is as good as it seems for the league leaders.

Now, the Gunners simply have to make the most of this chance against a depleted West Ham side that is 16th in the league table and has only won one out of its last five league games.

We have seen Arsenal fail to take advantage of these situations before this season, but given that there's only 13 league games left, time is running out to close the gap, which is why this clash is so important.

Liverpool faces a tough run, and Arsenal must take advantage of it, and the return of White might just help them do it.

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