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MIDDLESBROUGH, ENGLAND – JUNE 06: Ben White of England during the international friendly match between England and Romania at Riverside Stadium on June 6, 2021 in Middlesbrough, United Kingdom. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 23: Ben White of Brighton & Hove Albion is put under pressure by Kieran Tierney of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Brighton & Hove Albion at Emirates Stadium on May 23, 2021 in London, England. A limited number of fans will be allowed into Premier League stadiums as Coronavirus restrictions begin to ease in the UK. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Mikel Arteta and the Arsenal backline just got a much needed reinforcement
Despite only giving up 39 goals last season — the third lowest in the Premier League — the Arsenal defense does not exude much confidence.
However, the Gunners may have found a solution in that department as the North London side has completed a move for Brighton center-back Ben White.
According to SkySports, they’ve reached a deal in principle with Brighton to sign White for £50 million with no add-ons. Brighton included a sell-on clause, which means they’ll receive a percentage of a future sale.
White’s signing may raise some eyebrows given the numbers state Arsenal’s defense was not an area where they needed much strengthening — especially for that amount.
But with the departure of David Luiz, the club needed a replacement and someone with a similar skill set. That skill set is the ability to play the ball out the back which has become almost a requirement of the modern center-back.
White was an integral part of ensuring Brighton stayed in the Premier League last season but after being selected to be part of the England squad for Euro 2020, a move to a higher-profile team was on the cards. There can be a debate on where Arsenal falls in terms of a “big team” but joining them is a step up for the 23-year-old.
The signing is expected to be made official once White returns from his vacation and takes a medical on July 26.
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