Tony Cascarino has told talkSPORT that Arsenal new boy, Ben White, is a ‘competent’ and ‘consistent’ player.
The former striker shared that given that Marcelo Bielsa was ‘desperate’ to sign him at Leeds last summer, it shows the quality of player Arsenal have on their hands.
The Gunners have paid Brighton £50 million for his talents after a strong debut campaign in the Premier League (Guardian) – only last summer, Leeds were trying their utmost best to snap him up (Sky Sports) after his successful loan spell.
There will be big pressure on White from the get-go, but Cascarino thinks he will bring something to the table that Arsenal have ‘needed’.
“If Bielsa wanted him,” said Cascarino. “He was desperate for him.
“They were offered a huge amount of money and couldn’t get it over the line, it was £30+ million and he had only been in the Championship, at that time.
“And Ben White had a very good season last season at Brighton again. I think they have signed a very competent player and a consistent one. Arsenal needed that.
“Ben’s versatile. I think that’s one of the reasons Arteta is excited about having him at the football club.”
Given that Gabriel is ‘unlikely’ to be fit for Arsenal’s Premier League opener against Brentford because of injury, it will be interesting to see who partners White for that game.
Rob Holding and Pablo Mari are the front runners, but that’s probably not the centre-back pairing Arsenal fans are dreaming of.
Either way, whilst fans are pretty pleased with the White signing, a lot more needs to be done for them to be hopeful of a strong campaign.
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