Ben White turned in an impressive midweek performance for Arsenal.placeholder image
Ben White turned in an impressive midweek performance for Arsenal. | AFP via Getty Images
Mikel Arteta called upon a somewhat forgotten Arsenal figure, who impressed against Brentford on Wednesday night.
Arsenal picked up another three points on their quest for the Premier League trophy against Brentford on Wednesday night and it was an unlikely Gunners man who stole the show at the Emirates Stadium.
Mikel Merino opened the scoring early in the first half for the hosts and Bukayo Saka later added a second in the dying moments to put the match out of reach for the Bees. It was also another clean sheet for the Gunners, who have conceded just seven goals in 14 matches this term.
Starring in defence for the first time since the opening day of the season was Ben White. The 28-year-old had been an unused substitute in his side’s last 10 matches but was named in the starting XI by Arteta with the manager looking to rotate his team ahead of a busy festive fixture period.
Arsenal defender steals the show against Brentford
It was a barnstorming performance from the defender. White started the fixture with a tenacity, constantly linking up with Noni Madueke in advanced positions and looking to go past the Brentford defence.
White’s nifty movement and footwork helped him get the assist for Merino and there was equally impressive work at the back too. One first half block saw the defender put his body on the line in an action that earned rapturous applause from teammates Merino and Cristhian Mosquera.
It was a reminder what White, who has 162 appearances in the top flight, can do at his level. The former Brighton and Leeds United man is perhaps too good to be warming the bench for 10 matches straight, rated a 9/10 for his efforts by LondonWorld.
Chelsea and Man City linked with Ben White transfer swoop
It had been reported that Premier League rivals Chelsea and Manchester City could have already been thinking as much ahead of the January transfer window. Former Chelsea man Shaun Wright-Phillips told FourFourTwo: “I think I could see a move for Ben White to Chelsea take place in the summer. It makes sense, it’s possible. I feel quite sorry for Ben because he had an injury, and he was playing so well for Arsenal. He was unbelievable.”
Meanwhile, at the start of November, transfer specialist Graeme Bailey told Arsenal Insider: “Ben White, from what I’m told, he is on board. However, there is a source of frustration there, he isn’t going to spend the rest of his career sat on the bench.
“Let’s not beat around the bush. He’s not one who really wants to go abroad, or not to Saudi at least. There is a lot of interest in him on the continent from Atletico Madrid and Juventus.
“The other one that I’ve heard who are keeping tabs on his situation, because they think he could be a very good fit to them as a right-back is Man City. He’d probably suit their system so it makes sense.”
Ben White relishing competition at Arsenal
If Chelsea and Manchester City do harbour genuine interest, Wednesday night will certainly be added motivation to swoop in for the player. Speaking after the match, White appeared to suggest that he is happy to be fighting for his place in north London.
He told Sky Sports: “It’s nice. I’ve not played too many games this season but the boys have been unbelievable. It’s about supporting everyone, whoever is playing, whoever is not, sticking together. When you do get a chance, perform as high as you can.
“Training every day with all these players is unbelievable, there are players who don’t get any minutes that would probably start in any other team. It’s a pleasure every day to work with these boys.”
In other news, Arsenal Player Ratings: 'Sublime' 9/10 but 'frustrating' 5 as Gunners edge past Brentford.
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