Mikel Arteta explains why Arsenal bought Ben White

Brighton vs Arsenal

Brighton and Arsenal are set to face off at the Amex in Saturday’s late Premier League kick-off.

The two teams head into the clash in good form, though it is the Seagulls who have had the better start to the campaign.

Brighton have won four, drawn one and lost one in six PL outings before Saturday, ensuring 13 points and 6^th place in the English top-flight.

Arsenal, on the other hand, would have a nightmare start to 2021/22, but have since picked up three wins on the bounce.

On paper, though, Brighton – due to their form – actually look set to prove Arsenal’s toughest test since they returned to winning ways.

For more information on the game, check out the links below:

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Why Arsenal bought Ben White

Ahead of Saturday evening’s game, Mikel Arteta has been discussing Ben White.

Arsenal had a productive summer transfer window and signed six senior first-team players.

White was the most expensive of these, setting the Gunners back a reported £50m.

And now, Arteta has moved to explain why Arsenal signed Ben White, first stating that he was bought because they believe he can be extraordinary:

“We bought him because we believe that he can be extraordinary and he doesn’t have that much experience in the league still.

Later in the same interview, Arteta added that White was bought because of his ability to break lines and progress the ball:

“He [White] knows he will be asked questions and in this league for sure because it is one of the most demanding positions to play and at the moment he is doing it.

“He has to defend first and everything we have ask him to do defensively to do it, and that’s his biggest task.

“After that we bought him because he has that ability to break lines, to progress the ball the way we want it. He has that composure and calmness to make the right decision. But first of all he needs to defend and I think he is doing that really, really well.”

Quotes via the Evening Standard.

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