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Tim Sherwood says Arsenal needed Premier League captain, over Ben White
that Arsenal should have signed Lewis Dunk from Brighton, instead of Ben White in the summer.
The Gunners splashed out an enormous £50million to sign 23-year-old White from Brighton. It comes after a brilliant couple of years for him.
White joined Leeds on loan in 2019, an unknown. But he played every single match for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, helping them gain promotion.
He returned to Brighton and was one of Graham Potter’s best players during 2020-21 – earning a spot in England’s Euro 2020 squad.
His burgeoining reputation saw him move to Arsenal – and after a shaky debut, he has helped Arsenal keep two clean sheets in two.
Sherwood was asked about White joining Arsenal from Brighton, though, and feels the Gunners should have signed Brighton skipper Dunk instead.
“Everyone who partners Lewis Dunk, seems to get a move. For what Arsenal actually require, it was Dunk and not Ben White if I’m honest.
“He’s always missed out. There are too many scalps looking at what he can’t do instead of what he can do. It’s great for Brighton that he’s still there.
“He puts his body on the line, and really cares. Arsenal are weak, they don’t attack the first ball – Dunk does that. But they chose to go for White.”
Should Arsenal have signed Dunk over White, as Sherwood says?
What Sherwood is forgetting, is that White is more than just a ball-playing defender. White is more than adept at being a physical fighter at the back.
During a Championship outing for Leeds, White took an elbow to the face from Fulham powerhouse Aleksandar Mitrovic – but still nullified the Serb.
Yes, White lost headers to Ivan Toney – but most centre-backs will lose out to Toney in the air. White is excellent on the ball, as good as a midfielder.
But White can do it all, he is good in all areas required to be a centre-back. Compare that to Dunk, who is a fighter, but not so good in possession.
Dunk’s better as a fighter, White better on the ball. But Dunk’s weaknesses are larger than White’s. That is why Arsenal signed White, over Dunk.
