Arsenal defender Ben White has signed a new contract, according to The Athletic reporter David Ornstein.
The trusted journalist claims an “official announcement” about the extension will be made by the club at the end of this week.
White joined the Gunners from Brighton for £50m in the summer of 2021 and, while he was initially used as a centre-half, he has been converted into a right-back over the last couple of years.
The 26-year-old has more than made the position his own, making key contributions in recent games, including assists for both goals against Brentford in the 2-1 win last weekend.
White has won himself plenty of admirers
Alans Shearer named the right-back in his Team of the Week for his display versus the Bees. Speaking about White’s influence in the match on Saturday, the Premier League’s all-time record scorer said:
“Not only is he such a reliable figure in defence, White is now starting to play a huge part in Arsenal‘s attack, as he showed by setting up both of their goals.”
A new deal for another Arsenal defender is expected to follow
It is believed that the Gunners have been negotiating a contract extension with Takehiro Tomiyasu, in addition to White. The Japanese international’s current deal expires at the end of next season, although the Gunners do have an option for another 12 months.
From the sound of things, though, they are keen to keep Tomiyasu for longer than that, despite his rather poor injury record. The defender was back on the substitutes bench against Porto on Tuesday evening. It was the first time he has made the matchday squad since the defeat to Fulham on New Year’s Eve. An announcement on Tomiyasu’s future could come soon after White’s.
