Ben White Signing Confirmed: Page 34 - The Arsenal discussion forum and community: One More in the Tolly

Ben White Signing Confirmed

Don Pacifico

Qwiss! wrote:
Don Pacifico wrote:
Am I the only one who actually thinks this is an area of relative weakness for Tomiyasu? He's not incapable but I'd also be surprised if his chance creation stats are all that high compared to other modern FBs out there.

This isn't so much to fast that White is better in that respect (jury is still out for me) but one of the things (on a tangent) I find odd is that Zinchenko on the left is almost the polar opposite of Tomiyasu on the right - the idea that either is an archetypal Arteta FB therefore is a bit confusing (albeit I do still think Zinchenko will be more of a midfielder for us in the long-term).

Tomi doesn't play like a modern full back at all. You can't really compare our fullbacks to the likes of Cancelo, TAA, Robertson, Reece James, etc because they are not asked to play in the same way. You'll see the same issues with Zinchenko and White. Really Tienrey is our full back who's most like that but he has to adapt to the system too.

You have to take this into account when looking at the midfield though, their creative output needs to go up relative to a lack of it from the fullbacks to make the system work.

Yeah, that's basically where I'm at. I think it's why I'm a bit confused about what the longer term plan is on the flanks as it feels like we've used Tomiyasu/White to shore up defensively on the right and then on the left, Zinchenko is noticeably weaker in that area but stronger in transitioning play/combining with the midfield (etc.).

Doesn't need to be a problem although I guess my expectation (and perhaps I had wrongly assumed Arteta's too) was to have two sets of FBs who are primarily attacking outlets given the way we focussed our attack through these channels (particularly Tierney) when Arteta first took over.

Claudius

He plays a 5-5 offense where he pushes the midfielders up. So naturally at least one of the fullbacks will be conservative. It’s not like Klopp’s 5-5 which has midfielders as a defensive shield and pushes fullbacks up. We only need at most one fullback to be in the attack. So the unbalanced approach is fine

Qwiss

Yep that's why Liverpool can get away with players like Henderson and Milner in the midfield. Helps their new young players there look good too. It's also why we can't afford to settle in those positions. We have to have real creativity in those areas.

Sicario

One of our unsung heroes this season. Has slotted into that RB position like he’s played there all his career.

That RB spot between him and Tomi will be a really tough choice for Arteta come NLD. The latter had Son in his pocket in the same fixture last season.

goon

I love Tomi and want him to get more game time, but White has basically been flawless so far this season. He's a large reason why we look so cool and comfortable on the ball even under an intense press.

Bring Back Kerrea Gilbert

I also think White and Saliba have a great understanding and snuff out attacks in our right channel with ease.

Jed

Love Ben, but I want Tomi vs Son in the NLD.

Claudius

White is the modern footballer. Had another ridiculous stat line. Led the team in deep progressions today. He’s doing a great job of getting high, either creating outlet for cross or pulling defenders away as he did for Vieira’s goal. Consistently been one of our best performers this season

Burnwinter

Hugely admire White's progress this season, whatever you think of his attributes or his ceiling.

Considering the misfits, grumps, mistake merchants and dead wood we've had in defence over our past decade and beyond, by itself the fact that White took on being moved from central defence to right back without raising an eyebrow, and continued to deliver speaks volumes.

That's why we can also talk about bringing Tomiyasu back, because I'm confident if White is benched he'll be fit and ready to play at his level again if Tomi, Gabby or Saliba takes a knock or a suspension.

Claudius

If White, Saliba or Gabriel take a knock or need a rest, Tomi can cover any of them. I’m not in a rush to just rotate him in when those 3 are playing so well. But like the fact that he makes Holding/Cedric real ends of days scenarios.

goon

Personally I think rotating when they're playing well is the perfect time to do it, on several levels. It gets them used to playing with other players while they're playing well, it keeps the likes of Tomi match fit, less of a shock when we pick up injuries, keeps everyone on their toes and it also becomes less of a 'thing' to not be picked now and then.

It also keeps midweek teams a bit stronger. You could play Tomi and ESR in the league and rest Martinelli and White. Midweek you can then play all four in theory.

At the moment you can tell Arteta is still hesitant to disrupt a good thing, both within games with his subs and from the start. It's understandable because at the moment we still have it all to prove, but it's something we should be aiming to move towards.

Claudius

Oh yeah. It makes sense to rotate for midweek cos our team is so small. Just meant for games like Spurs and Poop coming up

Bosscielny

8/10 every game this season. Somewhat overshadowed because Saliba's been dropping at worst 9/10's every week (United aside), but White has been exceptional as well. Can't remember a single game where he hasn't come out on top of his matchup.

The right side of our defense is in great hands with those two and Tomi. Best it's been in years and years.

lorddulaarsenal

Benny White White White!

lorddulaarsenal

Superb player

goon

A lot of what he does goes under the radar. There was one relatively simple first time pass into the middle that relieved all the pressure and started a counter, which I didn't even see. All the little pressures on that right side too that force a loose pass from the opposition.

This position/role suits him down to the ground. I don't even know what you'd call it, sort of a hybrid RB/RCB/RCM.

Gazza M

he's done well at right back, but still feel tomi can do everything he's doing, plus have the added bonus of freeing up odegaard and saka because his link up play and footwork is so good. still wanna keep blanco on the pitch in some way though, maybe drop gabriel for him, but that's unlikely to happen seeing as though arteta really wants a lefty playing at LCB

Pepe LeFrits

I'm not sure Arteta cares about that so much as he cares about not breaking up a winning team. If Gabriel gets an injury I think he might find it hard to get back into the team if White is shifted to partner Saliba

flobaba

Easier to play on the wings than in the center though. White was not always convincing when he had the central position last term.

Qwiss

Whites doing great at RB. Gabs doing great at CB. No need to change things. Tomi could offer more at RB but he needs to prove his fitness apnd win his place now. Whites been that good.

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