Ben White has revealed the key area that the Arsenal ace admits he is ‘not the best’ after opening up on the right-back’s streetwise actions at set-pieces so far this term.
The 26-year-old has developed a reputation as one of the most canny players in the Premier League this season. Arsenal’s set-piece expert Nicolas Jover often tasks White with blocking an opponent’s goalkeeper at corners. The Gunners are also the most clinical dead-ball team.
Arsenal have scored 18 goals at set-pieces so far this term, only Everton (15) and Newcastle United (11) have also converted from more than 10. The Emirates Stadium outfit also ranked fourth last season with 15 and third in 2021/22 with 16 after Jover joined the coaching staff.
Ben White admits where the Arsenal ace is ‘not the best’
White has also furthered his canny reputation having regularly tripped or nudged opponents off the ball for Arsenal this season. Now, the four-cap England international says that he has to be streetwise with his defending as White admits he is not the best defender in the game.
He explained to the Evening Standard: “Maybe others don’t see it, but if I lost the runner or if I don’t do that, they will probably score. It comes back to doing anything to win.
“I know I’m not going to stop everyone and I know I’m not the best one-v-one defender. But I know I can do things to help the team in game situations against their winger.
“Every game, normally the winger is the best player. So, it’s always a challenge and I have to do my homework and try and stop him. There’s all sorts [happening at set-pieces], standing on your feet, elbows. It’s okay. I just have to stand in the way and see what happens.”
Ben White has seen the fourth-most minutes this season
White is a pivotal part of manager Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal line-up with starting roles in 23 of his 25 Premier League appearances so far this season. The Gunners were only without their Poole native against Burnley in November after carrying an injury from a win against Sevilla.
Arteta has further started White in four of his seven Champions League outings plus both of their Carabao Cup ties, sole FA Cup meeting and the Community Shield. Only William Saliba (3,122), Gabriel Magalhaes (2,982) and Declan Rice (2,977) have seen more minutes (2,773).
And while White admits he is ‘not the best’ defender in one-v-one scenarios, SofaScore has the full-back at a 53% ground duel success rate. He ranks 11th at Arsenal so far this season in the Premier League. But White has won 44 ground duels, the Gunners’ 10th most so far.
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