Arsenal defender ruled out for 12 weeks as Mikel Arteta gives pre-Newcastle United update
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Mikel Arteta has confirmed Arsenal remain without Ben White for the Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg clash against Newcastle United.
The 27-year-old has missed the last 12 weeks after undergoing surgery in November to resolve a knee issue.
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Hide AdWhite is closing in on a return but won’t be involved against Newcastle, with Arteta earmarking his side’s trip to Leicester City on February 15 as a potential return date.
After facing the Magpies on Wednesday, the Gunners don’t play for another 10 days after being knocked out of the FA Cup by Manchester United at the third round stage.
Meanwhile, Arteta confirmed no fresh injuries from the 5-1 thrashing of Premier League champions Manchester City on Sunday.
The Spaniard said: “No news from the game against City. Ben is still out, hopefully after the break he will be available.”
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Hide AdBukayo Saka is expected to remain sidelined until April while Gabriel Jesus is ruled out for the rest of the campaign because of a knee injury picked up in that Man United defeat. Takehiro Tomiyasu is also unavailable.
What’s the latest Newcastle United team news?
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe revealed Joelinton is a doubt for the game after being forced off with a knee injury against Fulham on Saturday.
But given the Brazilian’s importance, United will give him “every chance” of proving his fitness ahead of kick-off.
Howe explained: “Joey after the game was put in a knee brace just as a precaution. He’s out of that now. We’ll assess how he is for this game. I’d say he is a doubt but we’ll give him every minute we can to try and make him fit.”
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Hide AdUnited will also welcome back Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar after they missed the first leg, while Callum Wilson is in line for a place on the bench having returned to training after eight weeks out with a hamstring problem.
‘There’s a chance,” Howe said. “We’ve got another important training day, so let’s get through that before we make a decision on him.”
Jamaal Lascelles (ACL) and Harvey Barnes (thigh) won’t feature while Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly drop out of the squad for the first leg after leaving the club in the final week of the January transfer window.
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