White has been replaced for the second time in a row after being hooked at halftime in the 3-2 victory over Manchester United.
Arsenal had a disappointing weekend, but no one felt it more than Ben White. After a poor performance against Everton, the England international was substituted with 10 minutes remaining.
White has been replaced for the second time in a row after being hooked at halftime in the 3-2 victory over Manchester United. This season, the 25-year-old has been a mainstay in Mikel Arteta’s back line, but with Takehiro Tomiyasu in reserve, many are wondering if it’s time for a change at right back.
People forget that Ben White is only in his first full season as a right back. Mikel Arteta’s long-term plan may have been to relocate him there, but the transition is difficult. That is why I believe the criticism he has received has been greatly exaggerated.
Yes, he’s had a couple of bad games, but two out of twenty isn’t a bad record. I believe it is a case of Arsenal losing and people looking for a scapegoat rather than any endemic problems.
The fact that he gave the ball away so frequently was a major source of criticism for his performance against Everton, but Alex Zinchenko’s pass completion rate was actually lower on the day (81% vs 84.6%). That is not to say that the Ukraine international should be dropped, but it does put White’s performance in context.
Having said that, Takehiro Tomiyasu is an excellent player who was my summer signing last season. If he comes into the backline, I won’t be demanding Arteta’s head. But, before we make any drastic changes, I believe we should consider Ben White’s five months in an Arsenal shirt rather than just the last two weeks.
It’s possible that White is simply experiencing a slump in form, which is understandable, but with Arsenal entering a period that could define the Premier League title race, they can’t afford to carry any passengers.
Furthermore, the Gunners have a dependable backup in Takehiro Tomiyasu. After all, he was the first-choice right-back last season, and White has had to work hard to keep the Japan international out. To summarise, a change at right-back will not make the team any weaker against Brentford.
Takehiro Tomiyasu is a capable deputy, and a home game against Brentford is the type of game that might suit this type of change. Arteta, while loyal, is also extremely intelligent and will be able to weigh his options. It’s difficult to see a change at right-back being too decisive in the overall outcome of the season, making it a less risky option to make should White withdraw.