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Football London
Football London
Sport
Rohan Jivan

Arsenal legend Ian Wright defends Ben White in response to Roy Keane's criticism of England star

Arsenal's £50 million summer signing Ben White started for England yesterday as Gareth Southgate's men defeated Switzerland 2-1 in at Wembley stadium.

The visitors took the lead courtesy of Breel Embolo in the 22nd minute with a well-timed header. England responded just before halftime, with Luke Shaw firing a shot past goalkeeper Jonas Omlin.

It looked increasingly likely that the game was heading for a draw, with little to separate the two teams. But in the 78th minute, England were handed a penalty, to which Harry Kane converted in emphatic fashion.

READ MORE: Arsenal linked with surprise transfer move for out of favour Manchester United star

White was partly to blame for Switzerland's goal as he got caught underneath the ball, with former Manchester United captain Roy Keane stating that the 24-year-old's body position was 'all wrong'.

"They’ve got to get closer but as soon as it leaves his foot White’s body position is all wrong, Embolo’s got his number," Keane said to ITV after the match.

"He just got caught out, as simple as that. It’s a great finish and he got punished. You hope sometimes to get away with it, but it’s a great delivery and he’s just been caught out."

But outside of the mistake, the former Brighton centre back quietly impressed, delivering some excellent forward passes to England captain Harry Kane in particular and Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes that the criticism aimed at White was harsh.

"I think, being called up as late as he did because of the injury in the warm-up, there was a bit of nerves, you could see that. But I thought he did well in the game to be honest. He did very well," Wright said in response to Keane's comments.

White could feature yet again for England on Tuesday against the Ivory Coast before Premier League action resumes, with Arsenal taking on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

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