Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has told Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta to drop 'overrated' star Ben White.
White joined the north London side less than 12 months ago, signing from Brighton for a reported £50 million. The England international enjoyed a solid debut campaign at the Emirates Stadium, registering 13 clean sheets in 32 Premier League outings - forming a solid centre-back partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes.
However, French starlet William Saliba will hope to dislodge one of White or Gabriel next season following an excellent loan spell with Marseille that saw him win Ligue 1's young player of the year award. And former England international Agbonlahor has urged Arteta to drop the former Brighton man, who he claims is overrated, in favour of Saliba.
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"I’ve watched Saliba a few times and he’s got that speed that you like to see in a centre-half, and he’s very good at making the right decision at the right time," he told Football Insider. "Arsenal’s defence is nowhere near good enough to get top-four.
"For me, Ben White is very overrated, I watched him against Newcastle towards the end of the season and he was absolutely dreadful. He lacks pace, he lacks aggression.
"Yes, he’s good on the ball but he’s not a defensive midfielder, he’s a centre-half. Arsenal need two centre-halves who are no-nonsense and have both got speed.
"For me, Gabriel and Saliba would be my starters next season. With Ben White, I think Brighton are laughing at getting the fee they got for him because he’s not good enough.
"It’s a shame that Arsenal have wasted a lot of money again. It was the same with Pepe. Ben White was not needed and Saliba should start ahead of him."
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