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Ben White is famously indifferent when it comes to watching football, with the Arsenal defender hardly one to spend every waking hour immersing himself in the profession that pays his wages. He can, however, be relied upon to give 100 per cent each and every time he crosses the white line.
In many ways, his mindset is to be applauded. With a classy operator able to separate himself from a demanding day job, there are rarely any distractions clouding his mind. He turns up, does the business and then switches off.
Recognition
🎶 Benny White, White, White 🎶 pic.twitter.com/PKzmcOavC6
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) September 27, 2022
That approach has helped to carry him to the very top of the game, with a big-money transfer to Emirates Stadium completed in the summer of 2021. With impressive progress made in north London, international recognition has continued to come his way.
White was rewarded with a place in England’s squad for Qatar, with Gareth Southgate’s side expected to perform well in the Middle East as the World Cup 2022 betting odds of savouring ultimate glory shorten, with the Three Lions priced at 9/1. The national team has shown itself to be capable of competing with the best in the business.
The same can be said of Arsenal in 2022-23, with the Gunners making a welcome return to the top of the Premier League table. Mikel Arteta has, following some shrewd recruitment, found a formula that works and one that hints at a brighter future.
White appears to have a prominent role to play in endeavours at the club level, with a seamless transition made from operating at centre-half to now filling in at full-back. It must also be noted that he has previously impressed in a holding midfield role during spells at Leeds and Brighton.
There is seemingly no end to his talents, with a confident character able to tick any number of boxes despite wasting little energy on scouting out opponents. He has said: “I watch myself for analytical reasons. I watch England, maybe. I just wouldn’t just sit down and watch a game.”
The said approach has served him well, but he faces a fight to earn regular game time with his country. England is not blessed with an abundance of centre-half options at the present time, but seasoned performers such as Harry Maguire and John Stones continue to enjoy favour with Southgate.
It is a different story at right-back, with the Three Lions almost boasting too many contenders to fill one spot on their side. White’s exploits at Arsenal have brought him into that conversation, but would he get the nod if everybody is fit?
Question
Checking in📍@england pic.twitter.com/PJ2S7BKNIS
— Benjamin White (@ben6white) June 8, 2021
That is a question that only the England boss can answer, with his tactical approach dictating what each position in a star-studded starting XI needs to bring to the party. It could be argued that while White is reliable enough on the back foot, he maybe does not boast the attacking qualities of certain rivals.
He has shown to be a Jack of all trades and a master of many, with Arsenal certainly embracing those qualities, but there is an argument to suggest that versatility could work against him on an international stage as no one role is nailed down.
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