Arsenal’s recent mid-season trip to Dubai has been a masterstroke, as Mikel Arteta’s side returned fully refreshed and back in top form.
The Gunners hit a crisis point with three defeats in a row before the mid-season break, which saw them lose ground in the Premier League title race, and were eliminated from the FA Cup by Liverpool.
However, a warm-weather break, which also saw them work on their set-pieces, has fully paid off. The squad was decimated by injuries in recent months, and several key players were all suffering from a dip in form simultaneously.
Arsenal have convincingly won their last four games since the break, including an excellent 3-1 victory over Liverpool to keep their title hopes alive, and an outstanding 6-0 victory away at West Ham, the which was club’s biggest-ever Premier League away win.
One player who has benefitted heavily from the Winter break is defender Ben White, and with others taking plaudits, his recent performances have gone under the radar.
Ben White has been Arsenal’s unsung hero
The likes of Jorginho, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard have received deserved praise for their displays in recent victories, but White has also played a vital role.
The £50m defender suffered from a run of underwhelming form prior to the break, which was also coupled with the fact that he was carrying an injury, and with Takehiro Tomiyasu also absent, he had no one to provide cover for him.
He has since been back to his best, with excellent displays in all four victories. His performance against Liverpool in particular, saw him keep dangerous winger Luiz Diaz quiet with ease.
Sunday’s victory over West Ham saw him provide the assist for Rice’s stunning strike, before White earned a well-deserved rest in the final part of the game as Cedric Soares replaced him.
Ben White’s consistent performances
Other players have been praised for their displays which has seen them stand out with goals or assists, but White has flourished in the background.
The 26-year-old has been one of Arsenal’s best performers since his arrival in 2021, and has been remarkably consistent both as a centre-back as well as on the right, and his adaptability also saw him play a more inverted role at the London Stadium.
Bukayo Saka, who shares the right-hand side with White, has previously described the English defender as “incredible,” and with the winger in his best run of form of the season, he has White to thank for his security on the ball to support him further up the pitch.
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