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There were several memorable moments for Arsenal fans during their long-awaited 1-0 victory over Manchester City. William Saliba’s bodycheck on Erling Haaland and Gabriel Martinelli’s emphatic winning goal were just a couple of them. Another highlight was Ben White’s nutmeg on Jeremy Doku in the penultimate minute of normal time at the Emirates Stadium. While it was celebrated as a display of audacity and composure, White remembers it differently. Speaking to Sky Sports two weeks later, he explains, “I was exhausted and just wanted to waste a bit of time, but he caught up to me so quickly. I turned and he was right on top of me. The pass I was going to make was cut off. It just came to me, and I didn’t really know what I was doing. I got rid of it as quickly as I could.” White’s description is typically matter-of-fact. “I’ve been on the other end of it too,” he adds, grinning. Sporting newly bleached hair, the defender exudes humility during our conversation in a small meeting room at London Colney. This temperament has made him an invaluable player under Mikel Arteta, seamlessly transitioning from center-back to right-back without complaint. White is known for being an exemplary professional, rarely having an off-game and always being available. Rumors of him being rewarded with a new contract are circulating, and as he enters his third season at the club, he is as thrilled on and off the pitch. When asked about extending his deal, White eagerly responds, “Yeah, of course. I want to stay at Arsenal for as long as possible, stay at the highest level, and help push this club back to where it belongs. Whenever it’s mentioned, it’s an amazing feeling to know someone wants you. I still have a few years left on my current contract, so even discussing it is a nice feeling.”
Those discussions are progressing well, and White continues to excel on the pitch. He has started every Arsenal game this season except one, coincidentally the only game they lost, against Lens in the Champions League. He attributes his progress to feeling more settled. “Arsenal is the only team I’ve been at for more than a year, and it definitely helps. I’m getting older and I now have a wife, which is different from when I was younger. My life has changed,” he explains. “My wife is from around here, so it’s ideal for her, and it’s an amazing club to be a part of. I’ve learned from all the clubs I’ve been at, but Arsenal is by far my favorite.”
Prior to joining Arsenal, White played for Brighton. Before his breakout season on the south coast, he had loan spells with Newport County, Peterborough, and Leeds. His gradual ascension through the football pyramid required patience and perseverance. White proved himself at each stage and had to do it all over again after his £50m move to Arsenal. Those who doubted him after a difficult debut against Brentford earlier this year have since been silent. His quality is evident, although perhaps not recognized by the England national team. White reflects, “I think you have to prove yourself every year, every game. There are so many talented players here, and if you’re not at 100%, they’ll take your spot. My job is to do my best, stay in the team, and contribute as much as possible. I’m not sure how I’m perceived outside the club, but the opinions of the people that matter are the ones that concern me. It’s the manager’s decision to pick the team, and luckily, I’m currently on the team sheet.”
White is not an avid football watcher in his free time, a fact well-known about him. However, few players take their profession more seriously than he does. Arteta describes him as someone who trains every day like he’s playing in the Champions League final. White possesses the character of a fighter and is willing to push himself to his limits. “I’ve always been that way,” White states. “Nobody feels 100% going into every game, especially when there are three games in a week, but once you step into the big stadium and hear the crowd, you forget about the pain and push through it.”
His strong work ethic extends to his overall preparation. “Avoiding injuries and taking care of myself is essential to my progress over the years,” he emphasizes. White has a gym at home and uses it every evening. “Not for any specific reason, but because it makes me feel better and more prepared for whatever comes my way.” However, he is cautious about maintaining a separation between his professional and personal lives. “Mentally, I check out when I leave training, so I completely rest when I’m away from it. That approach may not work for everyone, but it works for me.”
White’s commitment to his craft has made him one of Arsenal’s most consistent performers, particularly impressive considering his recent switch from center-back to right-back. Was adapting to the new position challenging? “Definitely, especially with this manager. I can play full-back or anywhere in the backline or midfield, but playing full-back the way he wants is completely different from any other manager,” White explains. “To play full-back for him, you need to be a center midfielder, a center-back, a winger, and a No. 10. It required developing my entire game, not just focusing on one position.”
The result is a player with minimal evident weaknesses. White is more exposed defensively as a full-back, but he relishes the one-on-one battles. According to Opta, he has been dribbled past only three times in eight Premier League games this season. “Most of it is mental. It’s mentally challenging when you know the winger you’re up against is faster than you, but you need to figure out how to use your strengths to stop them,” he explains.
White manages to do that more often than not and fondly recalls his duels with Wilfried Zaha, in particular. “That’s a good one because he’s so skilled. When he gets the ball, it’s expected that he makes something happen. While he might surpass you a few times, if you can stop him a few times as well, it feels great,” he says with a smile. Another challenging individual battle awaits him against Chelsea, but he’s not worried about facing Mykhailo Mudryk or Raheem Sterling. “You can pick any of them,” he remarks, grinning. “What’s amusing is that you can know who you’re up against before the game, but at 60 minutes, when you’re completely exhausted, another talented player comes on. That happens against every top team, and you have to deal with it.”
Keeping opposition wingers at bay is just one aspect of his job. White, who is also a threat in attack, is responsible for providing service for Bukayo Saka. The two have developed a nearly telepathic understanding on Arsenal’s right side…
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