Arsenal have confirmed that defender Ben White has signed a new deal that is reported to keep him at the club until 2028. The Gunners will also have an option to extend his contract by a further 12 months.
The 26-year-old joined the club from Brighton in the summer of 2021 for £50 million and has been one of the first names on the teamsheet ever since. So far he’s scored four goals and made nine assists in 122 appearances.
White was initially recruited to play in the centre of defence but moved to right-back at the start of the 22/23 campaign as Mikel Arteta looked to integrate William Saliba alongside Gabriel Magalhaes. Despite learning a new position on the job, he’s excelled on the flank and developed a strong relationship with Bukayo Saka ahead of him.
His performances for Arsenal earned him a place in England’s squad for the World Cup in Qatar although he would later leave the camp midway through the competition. While he’s not been called up since it’s widely accepted that has nothing to do with his performance on the domestic front.
Benjamin White, as told by his team-mates ❤️ pic.twitter.com/2O3pcUJu70
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 14, 2024
On the decision to hand White a new contract, Sporting Director Edu said: “We are so happy to have completed a new long-term contract with Ben. Since Ben joined us, his contribution and commitment have been of such high quality. Our supporters love him, we love him and we look forward to enjoying Ben’s performances with us for years to come.”
Manager Mikel Arteta added: “It’s great news that Ben is committing his future to the club. Ben is a key player for us, a top professional with a winning mentality, and one of the guys who leads by example every day. Ben’s ability, determination and positive attitude are so important, but he also has thighs that are golden like the beaches of Ibiza. We all look forward to continue working with Ben’s thighs in the coming years.”
White joins a long list of first team squad members who’ve extended contracts in the last 18 months. Aaron Ramsdale, William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson have also been rewarded for their progress on the pitch.
Kids, there was a time when our best players would leave year after year. Enjoy this. *Shaky voice* *tears*
Speaking of such players, I watched Alexis Sanchez miss a penalty for his current team by striking it very shittily yesterday. I had to laugh.
I remember those dark days all to well. Saka, Odegaard, Saliba, Martinelli et al: it’s not like the world’s biggest clubs with the deepest pockets wouldn’t want these exceptional young players. But they choose us. Have to give Arteta, Edu and the club huge credit, and for their recruitment.
Times have changed and the other leagues are not as rich as the bpl.
Tears in my eyes. You just spoke my mind. Hard as I try, I’m still not used to not having that sinking feeling that our best players are gonna leave for “better clubs” when we need them most. I teared up a bit seeing Saliba grab and point to the badge repeatedly towards the fans as the team celebrated Raya for his heroics on Tuesday night. Obviously we want to win things, prem, UCL etc in the immediate or near term. But even if we don’t (which is quite unlikely with this team), this belief and confidence in the Arsenal… Read more »
Please tell me Mikel actually said the golden thighs line 😅
We’ll never know…
Well we at least know the thought exists in his head because, let’s be honest, it exists in all our heads.
Hahaha
MA DID insult Conceicao’s family…he told him Benjamin has better thighs than his wife!
Ramsdale called Ben Bruce, see the video!!!
Edu brings out the blue shirt. That’s always the cincher.
Edu in a blue cincher? Maybe he would look better in a corset.
Well that’s Blogs’s man crush sorted for another 4 years at least.
El Blanco se queda!
Man love!
He looks like a Shakespearean dandy but plays like a Mongolian warlord. I’m all for it.
King of the
ModsMongols!Plonker haha
Mikel acknowledging Ben’s beautiful thighs is quirky……. But we’re all adults here😂😂😂
Congrats Blogs!
More Benny Blanco news just in: Ben White apparently asked not to be involved in the interlull. Top man!
Be nice if Edu rang the rest of the squads international managers and tell them that the players want to be left out.
No idea if this is true or not (probably not) but in the Guardian’s comments section in the England call up article, people are saying Ben left because of major fall out with a coach.
The rumours range from answering back to having been forcibly separated. Anyone knows anything about this?
That rumour has been going since the last world cup but it remains just that. No one has confirmed nor denied.
I like the other rumour on Guardian BTL better. Someone claims Ben and Santi are taking their Wham tribute act on the road during the interlull. It’s gotta be true!
Work on your tan or go and play for a weasel faced cretin.
Difficult decision.
I’d rather watch his and Cazorla’s Wham tribute than most of what goes on during the interlull. Guaranteed to offer better entertainment value than watching Sweden I can assure everyone of that.
Also if he goes, the decision becomes sit on the bench or play with Harry Maguire. Yeah naaahh
Bruce?
Absolutely excellent news
Cracking player, got a bit of mongrel in him, world class shit house, what’s not to like.