Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has had his say on who should start for Arsenal at centre back — and it might be unpopular.
Speaking to Football Insider, Agbonlahor believes that Benjamin White should be dropped from the Arsenal XI when William Saliba returns from his loan spell.
White joined the Gunners last season in a big money move from Brighton and Hove Albion and has impressed since arriving in North London.
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Alongside Gabriel, White has managed to form a formidable centre back pairing and with Kieran Tierney and Takehiro Tomiyasu on the flanks, Mikel Arteta’s defence is as strong as it ever has been.
However, Agbonlahor is still not impressed:
“Arsenal’s defence is nowhere near good enough to get top-four."
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"For me, Ben White is very overrated, I watched him against Newcastle towards the end of the season and he was absolutely dreadful."
"He lacks pace, he lacks aggression."
"Yes, he’s good on the ball but he’s not a defensive midfielder, he’s a centre-half.”
Despite a shaky start against Brentford, White has impressed Arsenal fans throughout the season and has looked a perfect fit for Arteta’s style of play.
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The 24-year-old’s ability to break lines with his excellent passing range or his determined runs forward have been a key feature of the Gunners’ build up play and will be severely missed if he is dropped from the XI.
Although, Agbonlahor maintains White is not quick enough to start for Arsenal when compared to Saliba:
“I’ve watched Saliba a few times and he’s got that speed that you like to see in a centre-half, and he’s very good at making the right decision at the right time.
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"Arsenal need two centre-halves who are no nonsense and have both got speed."
"For me, Gabriel and Saliba would be my starters next season.”
It seems Agbonlahor has a simplistic view of how he would build the Arsenal side but Arteta certainly won’t bemoan the selection difficulties he will soon face.
Topics: Arsenal, Ben White, William Saliba
Thomas Schlachter