Arsenal star Ben White issues injury update as Jurrien Timber battles ankle issue

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Ben White returned to the Arsenal starting XI on Tuesday as the Gunners saw off Bayer Leverkusen (2-0) to book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals

Ben White insists he's now looking to put his injury struggles behind him after making his first start for Arsenal in a month.

The England international played 69 minutes on Tuesday as the Gunners beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium to seal their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals.

It's been a notably tough campaign for White to date as he's battled two separate hamstring injuries plus had to settle for a place on the bench.

However, he's now optimistic he can finish the season strong to bolster Arsenal's Quadruple push.

White told Arsenal's official podcast 'The Dispatch' following his return to the field ahead of this weekend's Carabao Cup final: "Yeah it was top, obviously I've been struggling with a little bit of an injury so it was nice to get some minutes and obviously win and get through to the next round."

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He continued: "Obviously I played 60-70 last night and it felt good. It's been a frustrating one really, a few hamstring injuries, different, not the same thing.

"Really frustrating, not really much I can do about them so it's been annoying but I feel much better now. Hopefully I'll stay fit until the end of the season."

When asked if he might now alter his pre-match preparations and routine in a bid to stay fit, White made it clear he did not feel the need to change too much as he's been a mainstay in previous seasons.

In his mind, he's just suffered terrible luck, explaining: "Sometimes you get unlucky and I think I've been unlucky a few times with how I've got injured. "Before that, I never got injured so I don't really want to change too much [as that's what's been working]."

White could be in with a shout of starting at Wembley against Manchester City if Jurrien Timber is not fit to start the contest.

The Dutchman was forced off in last Saturday's 2-0 Premier League win over Everton due to an ankle issue and the full-back was not able to recover in time to face Leverkusen on Tuesday.

Cristhian Mosquera has also been utilised at right-back so Mikel Arteta is not short of options, even if Timber fails to beat his race against the clock.

White was not included in Thomas Tuchel's extended 35-man squad for England's upcoming international friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.