The rise of Ben White to Arsenal stardom started lowly at Poole in England with Brighton and Hove Albion academy. A flexible defender with his head and ball-playing skill. White was able to break through on loan at Leeds United in 2019/20. He assisted the club to obtain promotion. This made Mikel Arteta notice his performances and he transferred him to Arsenal in July 2021 at a cost of 50 million.
Versatility and Key Contributions
The versatility of Ben White has been the key weapon of Arsenal. He made a trouble-free transition to right-back in 2022/23 and anchored a defence that only allowed 43 goals in the Premier League, which was second. He had 161 top flight matches (6 goals 11 assists). His 51 clean sheets and progressive passing (60 per game on average) has supported Arsenal in their title bids. His determination earned him praise in Europe in the 2023/24 champions league run where he neutralized the best attackers such as Kylian Mbappe.
Navigating Injuries
The 2025/26 season tested White’s resilience. A nagging hamstring strain sidelined him for eight weeks post-summer, allowing Jurrien Timber to claim his spot. Slipping down the pecking order, whispers of a “downfall” emerged after a subdued showing at Stamford Bridge in November. Despite all challenges faced by White; with Arsenal’s Medical Staff assisting with rehab sessions, White was able to prove he was mentally strong enough to regain fitness after being injured, when surrounded by teammates suffering from various injury problems.
The Recent Resurgence
White’s comeback ignited against Brentford on December 3, 2025. Starting his first Premier League match since August, he earned Player of the Match honors with a commanding display: 92% pass accuracy, three tackles, and an assist for Mikel Merino‘s opener in a 2-0 win. “It’s like having my right-hand man back,” Arteta beamed, signaling White’s lifeline in the title race.
The Road Ahead
White has a contract of 28 years until 2028 with the market value of EUR38 million. His combination of toughness and class is essential as Arsenal looks at silver. White has been an important part of Arsenal’s present and future as they move forward with improvements to the Emirates Stadium as they expect to build a great foundation for their club in 2026 and beyond.
