Ben White’s knee surgery dealt another devastating injury blow to ARSENAL.

To address a minor knee joint issue, the right-back has undergone surgery.

1Ben White could be miss the rest of this year, having undergone surgeryCredit: Getty

The Press Association reports White, 27, will be ruled out for EIGHT weeks, meaning he will not play again until the New Year.

But SunSport understands Arsenal remain hopeful he could still play a part in the festive schedule.

White has been playing through the pain barrier this season, but has been limited to 12 appearances.

He did play the full 90 minutes in the Gunners’ past two matches against Inter Milan and Chelsea.

But now the decision has been made to have an operation during the international break.

Mikel Arteta previously said that White has a “little issue” and “we have to protect him”.

But the boss now has a defensive crisis to deal with as Riccardo Calafiori, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are already out, with Jurrien Timber only just back from a muscle strain.

Further up the pitch, both Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka have both withdrawn from the England squad due to injury concerns.

After the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday, Arteta revealed he has been “praying” for an end to Arsenal’s fitness problems after a “nightmare eight weeks”.

White will miss several huge games if he remains sidelined until next year.

Play VideoMikel Arteta ‘disappointed’ by Chelsea draw as Arsenal lose ground in title race

The Gunners face Nottingham Forest, Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League and West Ham in the week after the international break.

Clashes against Fulham and Manchester United then follow ahead of a busy period around Christmas.