Arsenal’s £50million new boy Ben White is the ‘real deal’ says Gunners legend Martin Keown

BEN WHITE has been branded as the "real deal" following his £50million move to Arsenal.

The England centre-back is Mikel Arteta’s biggest purchase of the transfer window with his summer switch from Brighton.

Arsenal have struggled to replace defensive leaders Tony Adams, Sol Campbell and Martin Keown over the last decade.

But Gunners icon Keown reckons big-money White, 23, can become the new boss of the back four for Arteta, whose side kick off the new Premier League season at new-boys Brentford on Friday.

Keown said: “Ben looks a really good signing and the real deal — a proper player.

“He was high on interceptions — joint fifth — in the Premier League last season, reads the game really well, is intelligent and can pass the ball.

“He is a young player but he has got to make those qualities spread across the group quickly. 

“Arsenal have had a succession of young central defenders but I think he’s the real deal. 

“He can play in a three or a back four. Now is the platform for him to prove how good he is.

“He will need a lot of support and help because it’s about the team structure defensively and not just one player.

Ben looks a really good signing and the real deal — a proper player.

Martin Keown

“And he will need a partner to play alongside. Is it Rob Holding, Gabriel or Pablo Mari? 

“But you are looking at Ben to go in there, lead immediately and not be frightened of that.”

Keown is not the only one to be encouraged by White’s rapid rise after loans at Newport, Peterborough and Leeds.

England manager Gareth Southgate also liked what he saw of the defender’s first season in the top flight with Graham Potter’s Brighton.

And, following a late injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold, he drafted White into his Euro 2020 squad.

Keown added: “I had a close look at Ben at the end of last season and I was impressed.

“He broke into the England squad quite late in the trial match against Romania and was outstanding.

“So accomplished in possession, passed the ball really well, showed good pace and impressed Southgate.”

He broke into the England squad quite late in the trial match against Romania and was outstanding.

Martin Keown

Keown is adamant his old club need a fast start to keep the heat off Spanish boss Arteta after a woeful 2020-21.

Arteta’s men finished eighth in the league and failed to bag a European place for the first time in 25 years.

And three-time Prem winner Keown said: “You don’t want pressure to build — it’s imperative they win the first game.

“Brentford will want to show everybody they can play so it won’t be a pushover.

“Then Arsenal play Chelsea and Manchester City in the first three games, with Tottenham to follow in September.

“If they start well they are going to finish really high in the Premier League because it’s a really difficult start.

“It’s always a big season when you’re the manager of Arsenal. But the players have to rise to the challenge now — we need them to step up.

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