Ben White: Arsenal defender signs new four-year contract - BBC Sport
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Ben White: Arsenal defender signs new four-year contract

By Alex HowellBBC Sport

Last updated on .From the section Arsenalcomments302

White didn't want to be considered for England squad, says Southgate

Arsenal defender Ben White has signed a new four-year contract with the club.

The 26-year-old joined the Gunners for a fee of £50m in 2021 and is a key part of boss Mikel Arteta's side, playing at right-back and centre-back.

He played in midweek as Arsenal reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in 14 years by beating Porto.

"It's great news that Ben is committing his future to the club, Ben is a key player for us," said Arteta.

"He's a top professional with a winning mentality, and one of the guys who leads by example every day.

"Ben's ability, determination and positive attitude are so important, but he is also a great character and human being. We all look forward to continue working with Ben in the coming years."

Since joining from Brighton, White has made 97 Premier League appearances, scoring four goals.

He has played 27 times in the league this season with the Gunners top of the table, above Liverpool on goal difference.

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302 comments

  • Comment posted by Lassie Maven, at 09:53 14 Mar

    Well deserved. Is a fine defender and excellent over-lapping attacker.

    • Reply posted by Jeff Ace, at 10:24 14 Mar

      Jeff Ace replied:
      He can invert into midfield also. Plus drive out from the back with ball at feet. Very talented player and (if) Southgate wants to play a modern brand of football he should be in the England team alongside John stones.

  • Comment posted by Dai Quietly, at 09:45 14 Mar

    Took a while to settle but turned into an excellent signing

    • Reply posted by Super Red Thunder, at 10:10 14 Mar

      Super Red Thunder replied:
      OK at Arsenal. Wouldn’t get a game for Liverpool reserves.

  • Comment posted by Me, at 09:46 14 Mar

    solid and reliable english player. Good move

    • Reply posted by Mr and Mrs Banks, at 16:45 14 Mar

      Mr and Mrs Banks replied:
      It’s a shame Southgate wants him to play as a central striker.

  • Comment posted by Mr and Mrs Banks, at 09:45 14 Mar

    Good business, nice to see them not slip away on a free after such a hefty fee and he’s been excellent this season to be fair. Him and Saka have formed a real partnership.

    I like the look of a big back 4 at Arsenal, Kiwior has been so much of better defensive left back that Zinchenko, they’ve been solid. And with the flair players I front, there’s no need for left backs to wonder into midfield.

    • Reply posted by danhall76, at 12:11 14 Mar

      danhall76 replied:
      The whole system is left backs wandering into midfield. It creates the 4 man box that they work to create. Without the left back into midfield option you have to use another midfielder for the double pivot, which is far more predictable and easy to deal with.

  • Comment posted by Moore, at 10:27 14 Mar

    Good news - an essential part of the squad. One of the bsst defenders in the PL. Has earned a good deal. COYG

    • Reply posted by ICU, at 12:23 14 Mar

      ICU replied:
      He's played fantastic this season,an underrated player - agreed mults.

  • Comment posted by TheHotHead, at 10:14 14 Mar

    Great signing. Many raised eyebrows at the £50m fee and many can argue he lost his place at CB. But he has shown a determination and quality which has made him a valuable member of the squad.

    • Reply posted by EPSeagull, at 10:43 14 Mar

      EPSeagull replied:
      Yes, eyebrows were raised at £50m in the same way eyebrows were raised at Trossards £25m. Quids in all-round at Arsenal you lucky boogers

  • Comment posted by BBC, at 09:53 14 Mar

    Good signing for Arsenal.

    He still has areas of his game he needs to work on e.g. tighter and more effective when in possession and stronger defensively.

    But has done well for Arsenal so far and deserves a contract renewal.

  • Comment posted by Mate, at 10:35 14 Mar

    Great extension, Timber will feel like a new signing too, already looking forward to next season with new Arteta incomings

    • Reply posted by Nolberto Goaliola, at 13:22 14 Mar

      Nolberto Goaliola replied:
      Watkins at Arsenal will be frightening.

  • Comment posted by GingerKing, at 10:45 14 Mar

    Great extension. You forgot to mention it is essentially a 5 year deal. One sided year option on the club side. Important to mention these things in the articles so people are fully informed...

    • Reply posted by tony, at 12:15 14 Mar

      tony replied:
      Indeed, but that would be journalism.

  • Comment posted by Bob Todd, at 10:51 14 Mar

    Looking forward to him in an England shirt. Be a very long time though.

    • Reply posted by Norse Norwegian , at 12:18 14 Mar

      Norse Norwegian replied:
      He doesnt want to be part of Gareths comedy club, hes a winner

  • Comment posted by Robbie, at 12:31 14 Mar

    Well done Ben, very deserved.
    I look forward to the next 4 years.
    I have no doubt that Southgate will overlook Ben today. Ben apparently has been the only person brave enough to speak his mind with Southgate (wouldn't we all like the opportunity to do that) and as such was sent home and never picked again.
    Such childish behavior says volumes about Southgate and his management.

    • Reply posted by KY, at 15:38 14 Mar

      KY replied:
      southgate donkey player

      ( no cojones, missed his pen )

      donkey manager

      yes man

      Benny Blanco you are at the right place

      at the right time

      don't waste your time with southgate

      who only picked Foden

      after national out cry

      association yes man

      same mentality who denied us

      clough as manager, and le tissier as England regular

      i rest my case

  • Comment posted by Markyp1965, at 13:00 14 Mar

    Great news for Arsenal, as Ben White has developed into a very good player, a hugely important member of the squad and by all accounts, has a great attitude and commitment to the his role.
    With Arsenal on such an upward trajectory, it’s not a surprise the he wants to continue to be a part of it with such exciting times ahead.

    No surprise either, to see the anti-Arsenal stuff in the comments.

  • Comment posted by Vilyem Hize, at 12:49 14 Mar

    Another signing that was ridiculed at the time for being too expensive.

    • Reply posted by Arken, at 12:59 14 Mar

      Arken replied:
      "At the time"?
      or
      "All the time"?

  • Comment posted by O BEN O, at 09:47 14 Mar

    What else Benny Blanco..You in the right club..onward and forward..C.O.Y.G

  • Comment posted by Oliver, at 10:20 14 Mar

    Time for another England call up.

    • Reply posted by TrafficallyAbundant, at 10:41 14 Mar

      TrafficallyAbundant replied:
      A change of attitude is required then. He was dismissed from the England before for causing trouble.

  • Comment posted by Julius Seizure, at 12:38 14 Mar

    Great player. Was one of the standout players for Leeds in 19/20 promotion season. Calm and composed on the ball but not afraid of a battle like when Mitrovic of Fulham deliberately elbowed him in the face in a game at ER and amazingly the ref missed it (although he received a subsequent 3 game ban, should have been at least 6), proceeded to have Mitrovic in his pocket for the rest of the game.

  • Comment posted by Boom, at 10:15 14 Mar

    That's all white for him

    • Reply posted by error404, at 10:39 14 Mar

      error404 replied:
      All White on the Night!!

  • Comment posted by Cowboy Martin, at 13:32 14 Mar

    He and Southgate have clearly fallen out but as the England manager he should be putting that aside and picking him for England instead of the likes of Maguire etc who don't even play regularly! Absolute joke that Southgate is acting this way. Grow up!

    • Reply posted by Goonerman007, at 14:31 14 Mar

      Goonerman007 replied:
      Apparently Ben White has told Southgate , he does not want to be considered foe England at present time. That’s good news for Arsenal, as he is obviously happy in his role at Arsenal and playing so well. So let’s all enjoy this and see him playing so well at Arsenal. Rest and recover an£ bring on the next challenge.

  • Comment posted by ohound52, at 13:20 14 Mar

    Quality player. Good news

  • Comment posted by dinos, at 11:57 14 Mar

    Good news. Now let's get left-back Wendell from Porto...

    • Reply posted by Brownz, at 12:12 14 Mar

      Brownz replied:
      We need the young left back from Ajax, Jorrel Hato. Remember that name.

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