Is Ben White Arsenal's best option at right-back?

Ben White


Is Ben White Arsenal's best option at right-back?

By Tum Balogun 

William Saliba’s impressive form upon returning to the Emirates has necessitated a reshuffle in the Arsenal backline. 

Despite scoring an unfortunate own goal in this weekend's 4-2 win over Leicester, the young Frenchman has already stamped his authority on a position previously held by 2021/22's £50 million summer signing Ben White. 

Acutely aware of the former Brighton man’s defensive qualities, as well as his versatility, Mikel Arteta has opted to play the Englishman at right-back, dislodging Takehiro Tomiyasu who enjoyed a fine debut campaign last term. 

It’s a selection headache the manager will relish after years of struggling to piece together a defensive line which could provide a solid platform for the team to build attacks while also keeping opponents at bay. 

With Saliba and Gabriel set to continue at the heart of the Gunners defence, let's assess some of the options at right-back. 


Takehiro Tomiyasu

The Japanese defender joined the club from Bologna last summer and, after some ridicule from rival fans who questioned the defender's best position, relished his starting role. 

Tomiyasu turned in disciplined displays, owing to his ability to play at centre-half, and also offered an attacking thrust from the right hand side. 

The 23-year-old can count himself unlikely to lose his spot following Saliba’s arrival as the former Bologna star missed the majority of preseason through injury. 

Though he did make his return to first team football came at the weekend, replacing White in the 75th minute.  


Cedric Soares

The Portuguese defender was a surprise addition to the Arsenal squad when he joined in July 2020 from Southampton, having signed on loan in January of that year.

However, the full-back was made to wait until the 2020/21 season to make his debut due to a combination of injuries and Covid-enforced lockdowns.

Soares has gone on to make 31 Premier League appearances for the side, scoring one goal in the process.

A more limited attacking outlet, Soares has filled in admirably for the Gunners but signings more suited to Arteta’s footballing philosophy in recent windows have left the Portuguese international on the fringes of the squad.


Héctor Bellerín

Once, and maybe still, a fan favourite, Hector Bellerin remains a defender on Arsenal’s books after returning from a season-long loan with La Liga side Real Betis.

The 27-year-old began his Andalusian adventure well but faltered at the end of his time with the side who claimed the Copa Del Rey and a fifth placed league finish.

Bellerin has made 183 league appearances in his decade in the Gunners first team but is clearly - somewhat strangely - nowhere near Arteta’s plans for his side.

With recent reports indicating the Spanish international is prepared to terminate his contract to facilitate a move away, the full-back’s Arsenal tenure looks to be nearing a sad conclusion.


Adequate deputies? 

Away from the specialists there are a number of players who Arteta could call on in times of emergency, though they’d hardly fill the Arsenal faithful with confidence.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Rob Holding are chief among them, with the former back from a loan spell at Jose Mourinho’s Roma while Holding is often deployed in the centre of defence. 

With a similar physical profile to White and Tomiyasu, albeit with more limited technical abilities, the Englishman can offer an option on the right of defence. 


Verdict

Let’s be honest, White and Tomiyasu are the only serious contenders for Arsenal's starting right-back spot. 

Both provide defensive solidity while offering a threat in the offensive phase and their ability to play at centre-back allows the Gunners to form a quasi-back-three when attacking as Oleksandr Zinchenko or Kieran Tierney push forward on the left. 

White’s ability on the ball may give him the edge as the Englishman has shown himself adept at carrying the ball deep into the opposition half while his passing ability is also an improvement on his Japanese counterpart. 

Tomiyasu’s recent return from his latest injury setback coupled with Arsenal’s confident start to the season will make Arteta hesitant to change.

For now, at the very least, Ben White is Arsenal’s best option in the position, though don’t be surprised to see Tomiyasu rewarded with a few starts later in the season.

Photo Credit: Getty Images  

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