Arsenal complete £50m signing of Ben White from Brighton

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 30 Jul 2021 16:09 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal have completed the transfer of Ben White from Brighton for a reported fee of £50 million.

The 23-year old has emerged as one of the most impressive up-and-coming defenders in the Premier League and was vital in Leeds earning promotion to the top-flight before becoming a mainstay for Brighton in 2020/21.

White missed just two matches in the Premier League last season as the Seagulls finished 16th and successfully avoided relegation.

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He won the majority of his tackles but only won 50% of his aerial duels and ground duels.

His reading of the game was his most impressive asset as he completed 5.3 ball recoveries per 90 minutes as well as 1.8 interceptions.

Very much in the mould of a modern centre-back, he averaged 48.5 passes per game and 60.3 touches.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is keen to add another defender to his ranks this summer after David Luiz's departure and William Saliba's future looking uncertain.

A couple of weeks ago the Gunners tabled a £40m bid for White which was rejected, though negotiations swiftly continued with the North London club desperate to get their man.

White is currently on international duty with England after being called up to replace the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Where will White fit in at Arsenal?

Arteta now has a few options at centre-back, as White joins central defensive ranks which include the aforementioned Saliba, Rob Holding, Pablo Mari and Gabriel.

Due to the outlay on White, he will naturally become first-choice at the back, probably alongside Gabriel with Holding and Mari in reserve.

The future of Saliba remains unclear as he is yet to feature for the club in a senior match since his £27 million transfer from Saint-Etienne in 2019.