Arsenal defender Ben White has been on a meteoric rise in the last few years, climaxing with a big-money move to the Gunners ahead of the 2021/22 campaign.
Hailing from Brighton & Hove Albion’s academy, the 25-year-old had various loan spells in the Football League where he learned his craft and started to catch the eye of England’s elite.
But how has White gone from the coastal town of Poole to a Premier League regular with Arsenal?
White grew up on the south coast in Poole where he was noticed by Southampton. After progressing through the age groups with the Saints, White was released aged 16 and subsequently joined Brighton’s academy.
In the 2016/17 season, the current England international was in and around the Brighton first-team with his debut coming in a Carabao Cup win over Colchester United. After being an unused substitute for a number of Championship games, White was in the U21’s side that progressed to the third round of the EFL Trophy.
His first taste of playing regularly came in 2017 when he joined League Two outfit Newport County on a season-long loan. White made an immediate impression at Rodney Parade and in an interview with Wales Online in March 2022, he said it was ‘one of the best years of my life’. Following an excellent debut season in men’s football, White won the South Wales Argus Player of the Year Award.
The Seagulls were eager to tie their emerging talent to a new deal and they did so in April 2018, extending his contract until at least 2021.
After initially remaining at the Amex Stadium for the first half of the 18/19 season, White was sent on loan to Peterborough United. Again, he impressed in a five-month stint at the Weston Homes Stadium and was now on the radar of even more clubs.
Leeds United was his next destination – joining the Championship side on loan. He went on to play an instrumental role in securing their return to the top flight after a 16-year absence.
Playing alongside captain Liam Cooper, they formed an excellent defensive partnership as White featured in all of their Championship games, keeping 22 clean sheets in the process. Thus, he was named in the PFA Team of the Year for the Championship in the 19/20 campaign.
White was now ready to make the step up to Premier League football but with which club remained uncertain. Leeds had a few offers rejected, upwards of £20m to keep the ex-Southampton youth player at Elland Road. However, the deal fell through to White’s disappointment and he renewed his stay at Brighton, signing a new four-year contract.
As he had done in every season previously, White was able to make the step up and he shone – playing over 3,000 minutes as Graham Potter’s side finished in 16th place.
Understandably, interest was rife in the defender as he secured the Player of the Season award and made his first start for England.
Arsenal won the race for his services for £50m, despite the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United being linked – according to Transfermarkt.
He established himself as the regular right-back as the Gunners had a much-improved season, finishing in fifth. Last season, he featured heavily again as they came close to lifting the Premier League title but were narrowly pipped by Manchester City in the closing stages of the season.
With the recent acquisition of Jurrien Timber, White will have competition for places this season as the Gunners look to compete for the title once again. For White, he will also be looking to stake a claim to be in the England side but faces competition from the likes of Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Writer’s view
White has certainly earned his spot in the Premier League following successful loan spells at Newport, Peterborough and Leeds in League Two, League One and the Championship respectively.
At the age of 25, the Poole-born defender will be looking to maintain his successes of previous campaigns for the forthcoming 23/24 season.
Billericay Town Media Assistant | Work for The Non-League Paper, VAVEL, Phoenix FM & others | Part of The Football Writers Association | BBC Young Reporter Winner 2023
