MIKEL ARTETA says the next month of Ben White’s rehab will be crucial after successful knee surgery.

Gunners full-back White underwent the operation in the international break hours after playing a full 90 minutes in the 1-1 draw at Chelsea on November 10.

The 27-year-old had been struggling with the issue for several weeks as boss Arteta suggested the player will be out for “months”, but did NOT expect it to be “half a year”.

Despite the lay-off, the club are confident White will be able to return to play a crucial role at some point in 2025 – but Arteta will not rush him back.

White is renowned within the Arsenal medical department for being willing to play through the pain when carrying knocks.

Asked whether White is close to starting rehab, Arteta explained: “It is still early days.

“The surgery went really well, there is no reaction after that. He is improving day by day but it is a process for the first four to six weeks.

“We have to be really cautious and don’t put any stress on that knee and then we will see how quickly he can recover and how it reacts after that.”

Arsenal’s full-back concerns have been lifted in recent weeks with Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori now fully fit.

Italian international Calafiori was out for a month with a knee knock before returning for last weekend’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest, while Dutchman Timber has been managing his load following his ACL operation back in August 2023.

The pair will likely start for Arsenal for their trip to the London Stadium to take on West Ham tomorrow evening - as will skipper Martin Odegaard after overcoming an ankle ligament injury.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is still a long-term absentee, having also struggled with knee problems early in the season before another setback with an unknown issue.

Left-back Kieran Tierney is also now an option having recovered from a hamstring strain to make the bench for Arsenal’s Champions League mid-week trip to Sporting Lisbon.

However, the Scotland international is not believed to be in Arteta’s plans, and could be leaving the club in January on loan or in a permanent switch.