Arsenal right-back Ben White does not get the credit he deserves for the standards he has hit for the north London club.
Ben White is one of the most reliable players currently on the books at Arsenal.
The Gunners have been hugely dependent upon White this season. Of course, he has been established as Mikel Arteta’s first-choice right-back since he was first shifted into the position at the start of last season, but injury issues suffered by Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu have meant that the England man has had to play as much as possible throughout this campaign.
Fortunately, in the 26-year-old defender, Arteta has a player he can trust to reach the standard required week in, week out.
When the north London club parted with £50 million to sign White from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer of 2021, plenty of eyebrows were raised. Since then, though, he has silenced his critics and established himself as a fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium. However, with the likes of William Saliba and Declan Rice drawing more praise than anyone else amongst Arsenal’s more defensively-minded players, it is fair to say that White hasn’t always received the plaudits he is due.
In some ways it is useful for White to fly under the radar as he is a master of the game’s dark arts. In general, though, it ought to be highlighted just how much he brings to this Arsenal team.
Three things that make Ben White so important to Arsenal
Consistency
Whilst White rarely delivers absolutely spectacular, headline-grabbing performances, he is almost never poor either. Every week he delivers, serving a selfless role in the side to create space and opportunities for the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard ahead of him.
White has a humble streak and has previously downplayed his own importance within the Arsenal team, but in truth he is vital to giving the club’s attackers the assistance and support that they need to shine.
Versatility
In his first season at Arsenal, prior to the emergence of Saliba, White played in the heart of the defence alongside Gabriel Magalhaes. When Arteta shifted him out to right-back, he adapted to his new role immediately.
In recent weeks, in the absence of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Arteta has tasked the four-cap England international with playing his position in an inverted manager. As White used to be trained as a midfielder by Marcelo Bielsa in his time at Leeds United, he has been able to take this change in his stride impressively.
Resilience
Arsenal have needed White to be pretty much constantly available this season, so he has been, even when carrying injuries. Former Arsenal defender Rob Holding has marvelled at White’s ability to play through pain.
This trait underlines his incredible mentality.
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