Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been told to drop Ben White from his starting eleven for the 2022/23 campaign.

Ben White signed for Arsenal last summer and endured a tough start to his career in north London.

The centre-back was poor on his debut vs Brentford and was at fault for at least one of the Bees’ two goals that day.

However, White has since grown into his role at the Emirates and has formed a solid partnership with Gabriel at the heart of the Gunners’ defence.

Despite this, Gabriel Agbonlahor has recently torn into White and suggested that it should be William Saliba who partners Gabriel next season and not White:

“I’ve watched Saliba a few times and he’s got that speed that you like to see in a centre-half, and he’s very good at making the right decision at the right time,’ the 35-year-old told Football Insider.

“Arsenal’s defence is nowhere near good enough to get top-four. For me, Ben White is very overrated, I watched him against Newcastle towards the end of the season and he was absolutely dreadful.

“He lacks pace, he lacks aggression. Yes, he’s good on the ball but he’s not a defensive midfielder, he’s a centre-half.

“Arsenal need two centre-halves who are no-nonsense and have both got speed. For me, Gabriel and Saliba would be my starters next season.

“With Ben White, I think Brighton are laughing at getting the fee they got for him because he’s not good enough.

“It’s a shame that Arsenal have wasted a lot of money again. It was the same with Pepe. Ben White was not needed and Saliba should start ahead of him.”


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