After joining Arsenal for £50million last year and excelling as a centre-back, it would have been understandable if Ben White was reluctant to change positions this season.
That is not in White’s nature, though, and when he was approached by Gunners boss Mikel Arteta in the summer about switching to right-back, the 25-year-old accepted the challenge and backed himself to be a success there.
It has proved a masterstroke so far, with White’s excellent performance against Liverpool on Sunday the latest in a string of fine displays this season.
England have selection issues on the right side of defence ahead of the World Cup in Qatar after Kyle Walker underwent groin surgery and, despite White being overlooked by Gareth Southgate last month, he must surely now be under consideration.
There were never any doubts among the coaching staff at Arsenal that White could perform at right-back. He is regarded as one of the best trainers at the club, often utilising his gym at home to undergo further strength sessions.
White’s move to right-back has allowed Arsenal to play him, Gabriel and William Saliba in the same defence and it has also brought about a tactical shift, too.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is rightly praised for his role in that, however White has been just as crucial in the Gunners being able to essentially play a 2-3-5 formation when in possession. Zinchenko and White push up the pitch and tuck in next to midfielder Thomas Partey, allowing Arsenal to overload that area.
It is a tactic that has worked exceptionally well, with Arsenal top of the Premier League after nine games. During that period, White has evolved as a full-back and there is a sense at Arsenal that his confidence in the position is growing on a near weekly basis.
There were never any doubts among the coaching staff at Arsenal that White could perform at right-back
His athleticism is allowing him to overlap outside Bukayo Saka and his link-up play with the winger is becoming another weapon in Arsenal’s attack. That is something that should not have gone unnoticed by England manager Southgate as he deliberates his final squad for Qatar.
White was left out of the latest England group, but doubts over the fitness of Walker have opened the door for him once more. That role on the right of Southgate’s back three is a specialised one, with the player needing to be able to tuck in and give England a threat going forward, too.
Walker, given his athleticism, plays it very well, but White has shown at Brighton how he can also operate in a three. Crucially, starting White there would also allow Chelsea’s Reece James to play as an out-and-out wing-back, which is where he looks most threatening.
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is competing with James for that spot, but against Arsenal on Sunday he was outshone by White before getting injured as Arsenal claimed a 3-2 win. A few more performances like that and White will surely be off to the World Cup this winter.
