Mikel Arteta praises Ben White, hints at injury boost
|Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has heaped praise on Ben White ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash against Liverpool at Anfield.
White has been an undisputed starter at right-back for most of the season. He has been in superb form lately with two goals and one assist in his last four games.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Merseyside trip, Arteta said that he is ‘extremely happy’ with White, who has been ‘really consistent’ and has adapted to his position ‘really well’.
He told Arsenal.com: “I’m extremely happy with him. Again, he’s been really consistent, he has adapted to the position really well.”
“The way they flow, and the way they play, especially with a few [different] players and the way they link up, it has been great.
“He will have other opportunities [with England] in the future, for sure.”
White has largely played as a central defender throughout his career but this campaign, he has had to adapt with the emergence of William Saliba at the club.
The 25-year-old has fared impressively at right-back for the Gunners over the season and of late, he has become a creative threat with more goal contributions.
The former Brighton man will be hoping to continue the good form against the Reds on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have been without William Saliba for the last two league games with a back injury but Arteta has hinted that he could be involved for the Anfield clash.
While the Gunners boss did not mention the Frenchman’s name, he said that one of his players could be available to train in the lead-up to Sunday’s crucial encounter.
He said: “There are no real changes with the rest of the players who were still injured. We have some hope with one of them tomorrow – maybe he’s able to train.”
Arsenal fans will be hoping that Saliba is fit for the game. Rob Holding has fared well in his absence lately but the 27-year-old has the tendency to make errors.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com and Sofascore.com