Ben White is backing himself to take Arsenal to the next level and says he can bring quality in bad moments…which, to be fair, could be quite useful given our track record over the last 17 years.
Signed from Brighton in a deal worth up to £50 million, the 23-year-old centre-back is expected to compete for a place in the Gunners’ starting lineup from the get-go, as soon as he gets up to speed after a summer on international duty with England.
White may only have a season of top-flight football under his belt, but it seems he’s not short of confidence. In his first interview with Arsenal.com, he made clear he’s not phased by the prospect of improving his new club:
“For sure. I’ve played in the Football League, I’ve played for a number of teams on loan and the hunger’s still there. I’m really happy to be at a massive club like this and hopefully bring the level up of this team.
“When times get hard in games, I can step up and control situations. I’m very relaxed on the ball and through that I can produce quality in bad moments of the game.”
White joins Arsenal as a like-for-like replacement for David Luiz following conversations with Mikel Arteta about the club’s direction of travel.
“I don’t think I needed too much convincing to be fair,” said the defender.
“Obviously Arsenal speaks for itself and I spoke to the gaffer a number of times during the summer.
“I got good vibes and the way the gaffer wants to play, I think I can produce quality in this team and hopefully get Arsenal back.”
It also sounds like he’s willing to be flexible, if we need to use him as anything other than a centre-back.
“I think my main [position] is obviously centre back. That’s where I’ve developed over the years. I’ve slotted into different positions to help the team and I feel like I can do that to help the team. If I need to do that this season, I’ll definitely be up for it.”
Fair play to him, self belief is so important. Really excited to see him in the shirt.
Quality in central defence is what we want – and have needed, if we’re honest. He looks as though he has that quality. Exciting times.
Good job you’ve joined a club that never has any bad moments…
Good that he can produce in bad moments, because we have players that can produce bad moments for him.
He’d have loved playing with Luiz on a bad day 😄
Ceballos and Xhaka too…
Why do I suddenly feel like buying the new jersey?
That’s how they get you. Don’t do it. You’ll regret it.
I trust Arteta (though he is a bit of a rookie) but I’m yet to be convinced by Edu. It seems like Arteta wanted him so I’m all for it. Let’s hope he’s worth the £50m. Still seems odd to me that that kind of money is being spent on a CB instead of a creative MF.
Especially when CB is the most well-supplied position in the squad. Hopefully this turns out to be a good transfer. For the sake of the player himself and for the club.
He’s a defender that plays like a midfielder comfortable and secure driving the ball quickly forward. There’s a clear strategy it seems – all our recruits are geared to moving the ball rapidly forward. Quite exciting.
He should fit right in then, our defenders haven’t played in defense for some time
Despite the fact that we had the 3rd best defence last season. It was upfront where we lost most of our points by not scoring sufficient goals
Loving his confidence. I felt confident, reading that
Pleased he’s joined. He calls the coach the gaffer and that gets my vote.
Gaffer is fitting considering he has made his fair share of gaffes.
He’ll be producing quality in all our games then.
Hope he is not a like for like replacement for Luiz’s free kicks….
Seems to have a great attitude and loving that confidence. I am still a bit worried about the lack of height, but Koscielny wasn’t tall I guess.
Can he do it on a wet evening at Stoke?
Get in Benny!
Unless we get relegated, he won’t have to.
Goal.com says “One big advantage White has over Luiz, however, is his ability to avoid making errors.
The ex-Leeds United loanee did not make a single error that led to a goal last season in the Premier League. In fact, in his last two seasons – for Leeds and Brighton – he has not made a single mistake that has even led to a shot on goal in 82 appearances.”
Sir, he is coming to the arsenal. He will break that record
Oh my god. This sounds so good I’m actually scared.
And we can produce a lot of bad moments – the perfect match!
He will have plenty of opportunity to show us his quality thrn, espevcially if xhaka and willian are in front of him