Ben White is slowly becoming one of the most popular players in the Arsenal squad.
The Gunners are flying high this season and have now been able to move eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table after their impressive 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
White has had to undergo a severe change in the squad this season. In his debut campaign with the North London club last time out, the Englishman played the majority of the game as a centre-back. However, the return of William Saliba changed all of that.
Mikel Arteta opted to move White to a right-back position, knowing that he has the expertise to play there.
That meant that Takehiro Tomiyasu, who had an admirable debut season himself last time out, had to be shifted to the bench.
White has taken the role and made it his own this season, ensuring that Tomiyasu is not able to start over him. White’s pace and flexibility help him deal with quick wingers with ease, while he’s also improved his attacking quality.
The 25-year-old has two assists in 18 Premier League appearances this season, but he provides more depth to their attack with his relentless supporting runs as well as his inviting crosses from the byline.
White proved just how good a full-back he can be with a brilliant performance against Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium.
He completely neutralized the threat of the dangerous Son Heung-min and worked really hard to ensure his side would go home with a clean sheet along with the three points.
After the game, Norwegian outlet Viaplay Football approached White for an interview. This caused scepticism to creep into some fans because he was criticized for a very awkward interview with them last year.
That is because the 25-year-old isn’t really the kind who loves giving interviews or speaking in front of a camera.
White can be very awkward in interviews and at times too open for his own good.
In the past, he’s stated how he doesn’t even watch matches on TV and infuriated some fans with his ‘disrespectful’ interviews last year – with some feeling he disrespects the interviewers with bland answers and expressions making it feel like he doesn’t want to be there.
But it appears that the Englishman has clearly worked on his media-dealing skills. He gave a post-match interview with Viaplay journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft.
White had a more professional demeanour to himself than in his past interview and gave crisp, to-the-point answers to Fjortoft’s sensible questions.
The Arsenal defender has been able to win over many of the fans who criticized his inability to behave in front of the camera.
White appeared to be more comfortable in this interview as well and has gained even more love from the supporters for showing the desire to correct his wrongs in improving his ability to give interviews.
The 25-year-old also seems to be very grounded despite his side’s lead in the Premier League race and will aim to continue his admirable consistency to help the Gunners lift the league trophy for the first time in nearly two decades.