Fabrizio Romano now issues Ben White contract update as Arsenal ‘talks’ continue

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Fabrizio Romano has provided a fresh update on where Ben White currently stands in his new contract talks with Arsenal.

Arsenal signed Ben White from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer of 2021, paying £50 million to secure his services from the south cost club. As reported by Sky Sports, the defender arrived at the Emirates Stadium on a long-term contract not due to expire until 2026.

However, White has earned fresh terms. The £120,000-a-week star has established himself as one of the north London club’s most reliable defenders and certainly has Mikel Arteta’s trust. The Spanish coach will want to reward White for his consistency since his arrival at the Emirates Stadium, and also take steps to ensure that the 26-year-old isn’t tempted to go elsewhere any time soon.

Arsenal fans will be hoping that new contract talks can be wrapped up quickly so that White’s future at the club is secured and his full focus can be on performing well on the pitch for the Gunners week in, week out.

Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has now offered some details on what stage the new contract talks are currently at. Writing in his Daily Briefing, the reporter said, “contacts between Arsenal and Ben White over a new deal continue. I’m told the conversation is going very well. They will keep negotiating and talk in the next days/weeks, but it’s getting closer.”

“I know fans are keen for regular updates and this one had perhaps gone a bit quiet since I first reported it some weeks ago, but there is no concern there as far as I understand. It’s progressing well and talks will continue.”

Mikel Arteta will be desperate to keep Ben White at Arsenal

Hopefully, these negotiations can come to a successful conclusion quickly. Arteta will certainly still have White in his long term plans, as he is an integral figure in the squad.

When the four-cap England international arrived at Arsenal it was as a centre-back. In his first campaign, he formed a solid partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes in the heart of the defence.

However, as William Saliba was integrated into the team at the start of last season, the former Brighton man was reinvented as a right-back. He has since gone from strength to strength in that role. White has formed a great on-field relationship with right winger Bukayo Saka, and has proven that he can make a positive impact in the final third whilst remaining a reliable presence at the back. He can also still fill in at centre-back should Saliba be absent for any reason.

The positive relationship between White and Arteta clearly goes both ways, and the player will surely be keen to continue working under the Arsenal boss. He has developed significantly in his time at the club, and it would not be wise to rule out the possibility of there being even more progress to come.