Ben White ensures Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal gamble pays rich dividends

 

Ben White ensures Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal gamble pays rich dividends

Calm, versatile defender has become the complete player since moving to right-back and has helped Bukayo Saka blossom

Perhaps Ben White would have been surprised if, this time last year, he was told his name would top most of the charts that measure success for an attacking right-back within 12 months. 

Or maybe he would have quietly banked the information, taken it in his stride and continued with his day’s work.

There were few complaints about White’s form in central defence during his first season at Arsenal and it is no small feat that, in line with a team whose prospects have transformed, he has become arguably the Premier League’s best player in his new position.

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When White appeared beyond the far post to slam Gabriel Martinelli’s bending cross in off the bar against Leeds last Saturday, it was compelling evidence that the component parts of his game are all clicking at once.

 No Premier League right-back has carried the ball further than him this season; none have made more successful passes, in or out of the final third; none, by some distance, have been involved in more goal-ending sequences of play.

 But White had not scored for Arsenal until his half-volley in the seismic win over Bournemouth last month. Now he has two in six and, if that validation were needed, looks every inch the complete package.

White’s attitude to changing position has made a big impression at Arsenal’s London Colney training base. 

When Mikel Arteta proposed the switch last summer he was not suggesting something entirely alien, but nor did it come as second nature to the player. 

While White had briefly played at right-back during his time in Southampton’s academy, that was primarily because other centre-backs had been deemed ahead in the pecking orderHe might have been forgiven a touch of deja vu.

 Had William Saliba not convinced Arteta that aptitude and attitude were both in sync for a successful return from multiple loans, White might still be partnering Gabriel Magalhães in the middle. 

He could be adding silk to the Brazilian’s steel. But the Arsenal manager knew Saliba’s talent could not be squandered; it meant leaning on the adaptability and, as importantly, willingness of his £50m signing.

We discussed it,” Arteta said in November of the plan he hatched for White. “Every player needs some time, and to understand the reasons why. I think he’s really enjoying it.

 It brings him other opportunities. Being a versatile player is something rare in this world and I think he has the possibilities to fulfil that.”

The idea caused White some surprise but he embraced it, helped by the clarity and conviction with which Arteta spelled out the future. 

Other players might have considered themselves shunted to one side or the recipients of mere lip service in such circumstances. 

After all, Arsenal already possessed a good right-back in Takehiro Tomiyasu who had enjoyed a largely successful year of his own after arriving from Bologna, even if there were some fitness niggles and questions about his composure in attacking positions.