Ben White thinks 22-year-old Arsenal teammate makes it ‘so much easier’ for him

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Arsenal defender Ben White has now opened up on his relationship with Bukayo Saka at Emirates Stadium, admitting the winger makes it ‘so much easier than it should be’.

The pair have struck a brilliant connection on the right-hand side of the Arsenal line-up over recent seasons. Mikel Arteta switching White to right-back ahead of last term gave Saka the perfect foil on the flank. The 26-year-old has become one of the most consistent full-backs.

White regularly excels in north London at either end of the pitch as he continues to develop in the role. He seldom puts a foot out of line defensively and overlaps with Saka on the wing with ease. Their bond has helped White offer three goals and five assists since last summer.

Saka and White bring the best out of each other for Arsenal

Saka has also offered Arsenal 20 goals plus 16 assists since the start of last term across all competitions. The 22-year-old has registered five of his goals plus five assists in 10 games so far this term. But Saka is still an injury doubt for Arsenal’s match at Chelsea this Saturday.

Arsenal were without Saka for a Premier League game for the first time since May 2021 last time out. Gabriel Martinelli’s late deflected strike secured the Gunners a 1-0 win at home to Manchester City. Gabriel Jesus started ahead of White for Arsenal but did not fill Saka’s void.

White admits Saka makes it ‘so much easier than it should be’

White cannot understand why he performs so well with Saka for Arsenal since moving into a right-back role last season. He believes the pair have forged an almost telepathic connection on the channel. But the main factor behind his displays is how easy Saka makes it for White.

“It’s easy, to be fair,” White has now told Sky Sports about playing directly behind Saka. “He makes it so much easier than it should be. We just kind of know, I don’t really understand why. But, when I look up, I know what he’s going to be doing or where he’s going to be.”

Only Saka (19) and captain Martin Odegaard (13) have created more goalscoring chances for Arsenal in the Premier League so far this term than White (7), per WhoScored. Yet Saka also helps White defensively. He leads their team in successful (19) and attempted (29) tackles.