Ben White was afforded a rare Premier League start but was named the Player of the Match as Arsenal downed Brentford with Mikel Arteta hugely impressed with his
Ben White was a standout as Arsenal returned to the top of the table
Ben White was a standout as Arsenal returned to the top of the table
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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta claimed that Ben White was "back to the best version of himself" as he was handed just his second start in the Premier League this year.
The Gunners saw off Brentford at the Emirates with White was named Player of the Match for his performance at right-back. The ex-Brighton man has seen his role in north London change over the years with the Englishman beginning life as a centre-half before shifting out to the right.
White has found it difficult to play ahead of Jurrien Timber this term, with the Dutchman seen as one of the league's best in his position. He did his chance of more game time no harm though as he came up with the assist for the opening goal as he crossed for Mikel Merino to head home after 11 minutes.
Arteta praised White for overcoming several hurdles, which included recovering from injury and the need to win back his position after Timber had established himself.
He said: "Personally, I’m very, very happy for him as a human being. I think the rest of the team is the same because he’s a player who has always played for us, and sadly, because of the right reasons, he wasn’t playing that much because Jurrien [Timber] was excellent, and he was out for a while, and then he needed to earn his place.
"But his attitude has been so positive, so good. Then when you are ready and you’re given the opportunity, you take it like he did today. So I’m very happy that we have him back in the best version of himself as well, and we’re going to need him because he’s a tremendous player.
"The first thing as a defender is he defends, and defends with that purpose and with that determination and efficiency. He’s done that today. Then if he can add the value that he can add with the ball through his passing, through his movement and through the deliveries that he can put in with the quality that he has, so be it, and today I think he’s done both very well."
Mikel Merino scored Arsenal's opener - laid on by Ben White
Mikel Merino scored Arsenal's opener - laid on by Ben White
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White's lack of minutes highlight Arsenal's incredible squad depth, which has seen them established as firm favourites to claim the title. Bukayo Saka found the net in stoppage time to complete the victory for Arsenal, who were able to restore their five-point lead at the top of the table after seeing Manchester City win 24 hours earlier.
Merino led the line ahead of Viktor Gyokeres, who began on the bench, and Arteta claimed the decision was born out of a need to keep his players fresh.
He said: "Rest, that's quite a positive word to use. We had to make some changes; we had a very demanding week at every level: emotionally, physically, and what the game demanded. The tactical and technical aspect of it, we were asked to play three days later, one less recovery than Brentford".
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