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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Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino and Brighton’s Ben White (Photo by NEIL HALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

He has grown as a player

While Ben White does lack the needed experience of top-flight football, his journey from League Two to League One to Championship and eventually the Premier League has made him a sturdy defender.

All English Premier League /

All English Premier League

The 23-year-old has not only sharpened his defensive attributes, but his loan spells have also made him a technically sound player. That is evident from the fact that he was used across five different positions by Graham Potter last season.

It ranges from central defender to right-back to defensive midfielder and central midfielder. And it was also one of the reasons why he was called up as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s replacement at Euro 2020.

“We have tracked him [Ben White] since he has been on loan at Leeds we have seen him play in midfield, we have seen him play across the backline, he is comfortable with the ball and he has got pace,” England manager Gareth Southgate said of White.

With Rob Holding proving his mettle last season, Arteta might think of fielding a three-man defensive setup where White fits in perfectly.

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Given Gabriel Magalhaes is fit for the entirety of next season, the Gunners might very well form a sturdy defensive framework.

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