Remember the days when we’d find some diamond in the rough, polish him up, and see him jilt us for greener pastures? Those days are gone. Perhaps long-gone. In recent years under Arteta, we’ve signed and re-signed the likes of Saliba, Saka, Gabriel, Martinelli, Ødegaard and Smith Rowe re-up. Those signings signify a sea-change in the mentality within the club. We’re no longer a stepping-stone or a selling club that lacks ambition. We’re a destination. We’re a club that the best young players want to play for. The latest lad to take that plunge? Our own Benny Blanco (that’s Ben White for you anglophiles).
From Cole to Hleb to Fabregas to Nasri, we’ve all too often watched helplessly or worse as our best and brightest flirted with and eventually consummated relations with other clubs. No more. By re-upping, White contributes to a recent trend of our current best and brightest committing their best years to this club. It’s a testament to Arteta’s vision, methods, and tactics to see so many players, who might otherwise find more-lucrative contracts not to mention smoother paths to silverware elsewhere, dedicate themselves to this club.
The news of White’s new contract comes via a tweet from journalist David Ornstein, dubbed the Ornacle by some due to his insider-insights. While details are yet to be released, we might see an official announcement by the weekend. With not matches to prepare for, it would make sense for the club to announce this during an otherwise-slow news cycle.
As for White himself, it’s well-worth remembering how roundly we were criticised for signing him on a £50m fee (and how enthusiastically Man U were lauded for signing Varane for £38m. It’s as this time that I’d like to point out that Varane, four years senior to our White, has limped literally and figuratively through an injury-plagued time at Old Trafford whilst White has hardly put a foot wrong. Indeed, our man has redefined the fullback’s role, inverting when possible and overlapping when necessary, in either case forging an incredibly productive relationship with Saka.
Of course, we can’t overlook the sh*thousery. White is among the masters of cheek and of chip. Just watch him when we’re attacking from a corner kick. Almost as important as any header from Saliba or Gabriel are White’s “flirtations” with the keeper, during which he grapples and obstructs and otherwise irritates. The man is relentless, regularly registering the most ground covered during a match.
This next one is merely rumour and hearsay, but I have heard that there is a clause that offers White a bonus for every throw-in taken in under ten seconds. I’m not sure he’ll ever earn that one.
He’s a cheeky so-and-so. Somewhere, I see a Wilsherian smirk beaming down in approval. Someone had to take up the chippy instigator’s role. It’s been a long time—too long, in fact—since we’ve had someone who could both infuriate opponents with his antics and discombobulate them with his performance. In White, we have both, and we’ll get to enjoy those antics and that performance for the better part of the next four or five years (pending the announcement of this new contract’s terms).
In the end, it appears that White—like Saka, Saliba, Gabriel, Martinelli, and Ødegaard—has committed his future to this club. What message does that send to the clubs that had previously preyed on our squads in the past? What message does it send to our own transfer-targets? Each of those players has made the leap from prospect to star-in-the-making, giving new life to Arsène’s old maxim that “we don’t sign superstars; we make them.”
Whatever this current season reaps, we’ve already harvested a copious bounty. Glory is close at hand (even if silverware this season may lay just out of reach…).
You have to love Benny.
omg yes!
Excellent news. White’s quickly become one of the best in the Prem at his position/role. Eventually even Southgate himself will have to admit this.
Believe Ben White will have no part of the national team as long as Southgate heads it up. A manager that continues with non-starting players as his mainstays (Maguire, Phillips) isn’t one who sees someone like Ben White through a clear lens.
Have a notion the feeling is mutual from Ben.
take this with grains of salt, Southgate now saying that White asked not to be selected. If true, the feeling is mutual. Or it could be Southgate pinning the decision on White to avoid criticism.
It is another feather in the CPA’s of the club management that we have a squad full of players with personalities and attitudes that we like. Remarkable. No bad apples that I can see.
It wasn’t too long ago when I was scratching around trying to find an Arsenal,player that I did like!
Indeed. Skilful players with personality/attitude. We’ve had some cracking-good players lately whom I just couldn’t like on that level (Aubameyang comes to mind). There have been plenty of others I just couldn’t really form an opinion of beyond their performance. It’s great to feel like I can admire their performances and also feel like they’re likeable (or at at least good at appearing likeable).
Dare I say it?
Benny Blanco is on a trajectory to be lauded as an Arsenal ‘best ever’ at his spot.
We’ve had several luminaries at RB over the decades– so I know I’m out on a limb.
But some years down the pike– he could be the best IMHO.
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Don’t forget Jon– Nketiah, Nelson and Ramsdale all re-signed as well. While some believe we can improve the squad in those reserve outfield roles (and likely we will)– re-signing them retained a pair of academy members, and protected the value of the club’s vestment over many years.
Laurén, Dixon, and Rice come to mind on the right. Maybe Sagna as well. Of them, Laurén probably played the closest in style/role to what we’re seeing from White. It’s still early days, of course, but I’d agree that White is forging a path towards the upper echelons and maybe beyond. I could live with that.
I’d love to see those other three get more chances, but I suspect that Nketiah has pretty much reached his plateau. Nelson, by contrast, looks like he is still plumbing his depths (contrasting idioms, yes, but I think you see my point).
Can commiserate with Nelson and his progress– was a late-bloomer athletically myself. Didn’t hit my peak until about 30– and competed in my sport at the highest level until 37-38. Played on a world championship qualifying team at 35– and remained on that team when they reached a second ‘worlds tourney’ when I was 42 .
Yeah, I did have a smidgen of respectful admiration watching Porto’s (older) Pepe over the two-legged tie.
Well, well, JW. What hidden depths you have.
As someone who peaked playing university football and occasional cricket matches, I am seriously impressed.
TBF bob– when I played the game, it was considered an alternative sport– though a professional league was formed about 12yrs ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVzcMzR6EJY
These highlights are from recent league play over the past 10yrs. Where I played in the 80s, 90s and early-00s. Although I feel I could have played as a pro at the level shown– with throwing skills which compared favorably.
Pro players in the AUDL can make a decent to good living averaging $104k yr, top earners closer to $170k.
Alas, when my generation played, we paid our own way for everything. 10hr round trips by car and sleeping on local players floors were common.
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