'Very impressive': Arteta admits he's been blown away by 24-year-old Arsenal player this season

By Giuseppe Labellarte

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has praised Ben White for how well he’s dealt with all that has come his way this season.

The Gunners brought the 24-year-old to the Emirates Stadium last summer for a reported £50million.

White struggled on his Arsenal debut as the Gunners fell to a 2-0 defeat at Brentford back in August.

Ivan Toney gave the England international a hard time and some questioned whether he was worth £50million.

Since then, White has become one of the first names on Arteta’s team sheet.

The former Brighton ace has formed a superb partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes at centre-back.

White’s efforts have helped Arsenal remain in contention for a Premier League top-four finish this season.

“Brilliant season”

Ahead of the Gunners’ trip to Watford on Sunday, football.london asked Arteta what gave him the confidence that better times were coming after their woeful August.

“That we have great people and very good players,” replied the Spaniard.

“I think that combination at the end when everybody is on board has to have a good outcome.

“I believed in that and I still believe in that today.”

Football.london then asked Arteta whether White was one of these players, and he replied: “(He’s having) a brilliant season.

“I think what he’s done, how quickly he’s adapted, how quickly he been able to handled it, with the pressure, with the number that he’s wearing, the price that we paid and what we demand him to do straight way at his age, I think it’s been great.”

Arteta has frequently sung White’s praises over the course of the season.

In February, the Arsenal boss spoke of how the defender trains superbly and willingly even when he’s not feeling great.

“And the same when he wants to compete,” he said. “In the long run, that takes you to a nice place, for sure.”