Ben White is set to join Arsenal this week, and former Gunners star Sol Campbell has raised concerns regarding the defender.
Arsenal are very close to capturing Be White, and the announcement is expected to come out sometime this week. The North London side agreed on a huge £50 million deal with Brighton weeks ago, but the England international was unavailable due to his extended holidays.
Now that he is back in England, White is expected to undergo his medicals this week and sign his contract to become Arsenal’s latest acquisition. The Gunners have already signed midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga and left-back Nuno Tavares before agreeing to a deal for the Brighton defender.
Ben White will "have to hit the ground running" at #AFC says Sol Campbell
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 26, 2021
Mikel Arteta specifically wanted White to become the fulcrum of his rebuild project. The defender, on one side, is considered the ideal replacement for the departed David Luiz, while his age profile makes him a good addition for the long-term future of the club.
White was also a late call-up to the England squad for the Euros. He did not play any role whatsoever in the team reaching the Final, but his participation afforded him an extended holiday. However, his inclusion in the National squad was a testament to his talent and performance from the previous seasons.
However, one of Arsenal’s former defensive stars has raised logical concerns over the signing. Sol Campbell has been speaking to Talksport and gave his insight over some of the recent defensive signings made by Premier League clubs.
Campbell first suggested that Arsenal should have challenged Manchester United for Raphael Varane. The former England international believes the Gunners should have gone for a player with so many titles. He said, “I’d be busting a gut to bring in Varane.
“When you look at it, there would be an instant impact. Look at what he’s won in the game, the experience he brings to the game. “He’s a winner, and he could teach his teammates around him. That’s what you want.
“He’s young enough. He’s in his best years. He’s had a wonderful career at Real Madrid, but hey, bring him in!
“I don’t know much about Ben White, but he got into the England squad for the Euros.
“Hopefully, it does work out. But if you want that instant success and you want to build a team, you bring in Ben White, but you also bring in someone like Varane – you bring both of them in!”
However, Campbell then went on to talk more about White specifically, raising some concerns about the signing. He continued, “It needs to work out because Arsenal are not in the position to shift out £50m for a player. He’ll definitely have to start.
“If it does happen and the medical is all good, he’ll have to hit the ground running. It’s a difficult one. It’s a lot of money.
“They’re looking at the years ahead, and they see a future. He can play in midfield or as a full-back. At £50m, you’ve got to be the master of your position.”
In a way, Campbell is right because if White fails to perform in the opening months, questions will be raised on Arsenal’s decisions about the star. However, with Arsenal wanting a long-term solution, White could be given the time to settle in and make his central defence mark.
