Reuters: Ben White states his intention to extend his contract with Arsenal.
Ben White, an Arsenal defender, has stated his desire to sign a contract extension and stay at the Emirates for as long as possible.
The former Brighton & Hove Albion player, who switched from a central position to his present wide position after joining the team in 2021, has unexpectedly flourished as a right-back.
White, who won praise for his regular performances, started 36 Premier League games for Arsenal during their 2022–23 title run, missing none of them while contributing two goals and five assists.
The 26-year-old has played every minute of the 2023–24 Premier League season thus far, scoring his first goal, and will face Chelsea in the London derby on Saturday.
White is said to be in line for a new and improved deal at the Emirates Stadium due to his significance to the Arsenal XI, even though his present terms do not expire until the summer of 2026.
White has stated that he wants to stay in the red and white forever after finding a home in North London with his wife, and negotiations between the club and his representatives are reportedly going well.
When asked if White wanted to sign new terms, he responded, “Yeah, of course,” to Sky Sports News. “I want to continue performing at the greatest level for as long as I can at Arsenal and help this team get back to where it belongs.
“Whenever it is spoken, it is an incredible feeling to know that someone wants you. Even talking about it is pleasant because I still have a few years remaining on my present contract.
“The only team I’ve been with for more than a year is Arsenal. It undoubtedly aids. It’s obvious that I’m ageing. Now that I have a wife, my situation is a little different than when I was younger. In my life, things have changed.
“My wife is from the area, so it’s perfect for her, and it’s just a great club to go to every day,” he said. Though I believe I can learn from every club I’ve visited, this is by far my fave.
White moved to his successful right-back position when William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes were integrated, beating out Takehiro Tomiyasu despite the Japan international’s fitness issues.
Despite receiving strong accolades for his performances, White has acknowledged that working under Mikel Arteta is “completely different” from working under any other manager since the Spaniard expects his wide defenders to play a variety of different positions.
“I could play full-back, I could play anywhere across the backline or in centre mid, but playing full-back the way he wants is, I think, completely different to any other manager,” White stated.
To play fullback for him, you must be a centre midfielder, centre defender, winger, or No. 10 player. Therefore, I’ve been working on improving my entire game rather than simply my abilities as a full-back or center-back.
White will play for Arsenal for the 96th time on Saturday against Chelsea. If Arsenal wins, they would surpass Tottenham Hotspur and go into first position in the Premier League standings until Spurs play Fulham on Monday.
