Arsenal reward "brave fighter" Ben White with new long-term contract

13 March 2024 , 23:56

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Ben White is one of Mikel Arteta's most consistent performers

Arsenal defender Ben White is the latest Gunner to sign a new long-term contract after a string of stellar displays.

The England international and his representatives had been in talks with Arsenal for months trying to thrash out the best deal for both parties and, at long last, a conclusion seems to have been reached. According to The Athletic, White has put pen to paper on a new and improved deal with Mikel Arteta's side.

An announcement confirming the news is expected to come by the end of the week, with the contract viewed as a reward for White's fantastic form. He arrived from Brighton in 2021 when the Gunners forked out £50million to bring him to north London.

White spent his debut campaign at the club operating as a central defender, but William Saliba's return from a loan spell with Marseille meant he was moved to right-back. He's barely looked back since.

An ever-present in the Arsenal line-up, White has made 121 appearances for the Gunners across all competitions in just under three years. White has played an integral role in guiding the north Londoners to the top of the Premier League, as well as the last eight of the Champions League.

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During the course of his Arsenal career, White has divided opinion, but one person who has long been a keen admirer is his manager. Arteta waxed lyrical about the former Seagulls star during the Amazon 'All or Nothing' docu-series about the club, released in 2022.

The Spaniard described White as "brave", "really talented" and a "fighter", before adding: "He trains like he's playing the Champions League final.

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Ben White has signed a new contract at Arsenal

"That's why he's come a long way in such a short time in his career, Ben has the capacity to play in different positions and that’s a big plus for any player." At the start of the current campaign, White discussed his own technical level and the demands that come with his role.

"To play full-back for Mikel Arteta, you’ve got to be a centre mid, a centre-back, a winger, a number 10," White explained in the summer. "So, it’s been about developing the whole of my game, rather than just as a full-back or a centre-back."

White joins the likes of Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and William Saliba to commit his long-term future to Arsenal in the last 12 months.

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Josh O'Brien