Why did Arsenal move for Brighton defender Ben White?

Why did Arsenal move for Brighton’s Ben White?

Leeds United's Argentinian head coach Marcelo Bielsa (R) watches Brighton's English defender Ben White during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Leeds United at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on May 1, 2021. - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Mike Hewitt / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by MIKE HEWITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

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Ben White of Brighton and Hove Albion (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Ben White – A ready-made Arteta defender

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta wants his team to lay the groundwork right from the back. For that to happen, his centre-backs must have the ability to drive forward with the ball and find their teammates in the final third.

During the 2020/21 Premier League season, David Luiz was tasked with the chore and while there were questions over his defensive abilities, he did in fact play some crucial forward passes.

In 20 Premier League appearances last season, Luiz averaged almost 37% forward passes. Neither Gabriel Magalhaes nor Rob Holding or Pablo Mari managed to match the figure.

This is where White kicks on.

The defender played all but two of Brighton’s Premier League games last season and despite spending more minutes on the field than any Arsenal defender, he averaged 40.07% forward passes.

Furthermore, he also ended his season with more dribbles (24) than any of the other central defenders in the league.

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