Mikel Arteta has sung the praises of Ben White after Sunday's 2-2 draw against Manchester City.
The centre-half turned right-back was dropped to the bench for the top of the table Premier League clash, with Jurrien Timber filling in on the right-hand side while summer signing Riccardo Calafiori settled in on the left. Erling Haaland gave City the lead after just nine minutes, before Calafiori equalised with a stunning left-footed strike from outside of the box.
Gabriel made it 2-1 to the Gunners on the brink of half-time, but Arteta's men would walk down the tunnel one lighter when Leandro Trossard was sent off deep into stoppage time. White replaced Bukayo Saka at half time as Arsenal looked to hold onto their lead in a true backs to the wall performance. However, the north Londoners left the Etihad with one point instead of the full three when John Stones equalised with the last kick of the game.
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After the game, Arteta was quick to praise the dedication of White, suggesting that the English talent would go to the well to help his side given the opportunity. Speaking after the game, Arteta made a nine-word claim that is testament to the dedication shown by the Gunners defender and the overall unity in the squad: "He will run through a brick wall for you." He then added: We didn't want to play him but we had to...I spoke to him, I wanted to protect him."
He continued by saying: "He won't ever tell you that he's not fit," showing how the 26-year-old is happy to fight through the pain barrier for the success of his team-mates. White has been a stalwart for Arsenal since arriving from Brighton & Hove Albion for a reported £50million back in 2021.
He has made 140 appearances for his club across all competitions thus far, and has been a key player in Arsenal's consecutive second-place finishes over the last two Premier League campaigns. Arsenal are fifth on 11 points after Sunday's draw, just two points behind City. With a hectic round of fixtures coming up, they may well rely on the tenacity and can-do attitude of White once more.
The Gunners face Bolton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, before a Premier League clash with Leicester City on Saturday. They then host PSG at the Emirates Stadium on October 1. Arteta's comments come after Arsenal legend Lee Dixon also shared encouraging words about White, explaining that he doesn't judge the footballer for ruling himself out of selection for his nation.
White famously pulled himself out of the Three Lions' camp at the 2022 World Cup citing personal reasons, and is yet to return on the international stage. On his White's decision, Dixon said: ""It’s not for me to say whether or not Ben White’s international career is over," in a chat with Gambling Zone. "The only person that knows that is Ben himself, but whatever he decides to do is absolutely fine by me. If he decided that he wanted to play for England, then I think Lee Carsley would pick him in his squad tomorrow because he’s a fantastic footballer.
"The previous manager would have done the same thing, but both have been told that he’s not available so what can they do? I certainly won’t judge Ben for any decision that he makes on his international future. I will completely respect his decision regardless. As long as he and his family are happy, that is all that matters."
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