Arsenal defender Ben White will face the club where he said he had the "time of his life" this weekend. The Gunners host Leeds in the early kick-off on Saturday, with White having spent a successful loan spell at Elland Road during the 2019/2020 season.
Despite his affection for the west Yorkshire club, the 28-year-old revealed he did not need much convincing to move from Brighton, his parent club, to Arsenal. White joined the Emirates Stadium side in July 2021 for £50million from the Seagulls.
Loan spell under Bielsa
During his time under Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds, White played in all 46 league games as the Whites were promoted to the Premier League as champions, a memory he treasures.
“We’ve been through a lot last season, it’s the best time of my life winning that trophy. The players and staff will always be in my heart," he said in 2020.
“I also want to thank the Leeds supporters, they were unbelievable every single week. Even when they weren’t allowed to be there. They were very good to me, and were always really supportive to me and the rest of the team – the club will always be special to me."
Joining the Gunners
Yet when making the step up to Arsenal in 2021, he revealed: “I don't think I needed too much convincing to be fair. Obviously Arsenal speaks for itself and I spoke to the gaffer a number of times during the summer. I got good vibes and the way the gaffer wants to play, I think I can produce quality in this team and hopefully get Arsenal back."
White began the campaign in Arsenal's starting XI, deputising at right-back in the absence of Jurrien Timber. But Timber replaced him at half-time of the 2-0 away win at Sunderland and he subsequently missed the 3-0 defeat to his former club Brighton before the international break due to a minor hamstring issue.
Injury issues and future
White has been persistently hampered by injury problems in his Arsenal career, but made 30 appearances across all competitions last season as the Gunners won the Premier League title. He was linked with a transfer away from north London this summer after falling down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta.
Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon believes the England international may have to look elsewhere to further his career. Dixon told BestBettingSites in the summer: “Yeah, sometimes that utility tag works against you. His injury situation isn't great for a manager either.
“I know he's well-liked at the club - he's got a different demeanour about him than other players, but he's a nice lad and good for the squad. From his point of view, if I was him, I'd be knocking on the door now because I'd just want to go and play, and he's not going to play if Timber's fit.
“If it was me, I'd ask to leave. But leaving league champions is difficult, and it's a squad game now; he might think, ‘I'll play 15 games, come off the bench most weeks, and that'll do me.’ If it was me, I'd ask to leave, but everybody is different."
England boss Thomas Tuchel recently indicated that White would have firmly been part of his England plans for the extended three-week international break. White felt an issue in his groin in the closing stages of the first half in the Premier League win at Sunderland on September 12, but he returned to training in time for the clash with Leeds.
