Ian Wright made it clear that Arsenal defender, Ben White, did ‘very well’ for England during their 2-1 win over Switzerland on Saturday at Wembley.
The Highbury legend was reacting to Roy Keane’s criticism of the Arsenal player, after his mistake during the friendly encounter.
Before England could mount a fightback through goals from Luke Shaw and Harry Kane, they did fall behind pretty early on.
Breel Embolo was the man to power home for the Swiss, when White was unable to read the flight of Xherdan Shaqiri’s cross, which then allowed the Switzerland striker to head his side into the lead.
Given that White was drafted in to start at the last minute after an injury to John Stones in the warm-up, Wright was sure to defend Arsenal’s ball-playing centre-half, as he told ITV Sport.
“I think also being called up late, as he did because of the injury in the warm-up (to Stones),” said Wright.
“There were a bit of nerves, you could see that. I think he did well in the game. I think he did very well.”
That passage of play was a mistake from White, no doubt, but the key thing is that he became stronger, thereafter.
In the second half, Gareth Southgate, after starting with a back three, switched to a flat back four, with White moving out at right-back.
Arsenal fans have seen their big-money summer signing play as a fullback on two occasions this season, and he impressed during those games, just like he did against the Swiss.
That just goes to show the versatility in White’s game because he’s comfortable in a back three, flack back four, as a fullback and pushing forward into the middle of the park.
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