Arsenal: 3 Ben White tactical roles under Mikel Arteta

3. Ben White Adds Progression David Luiz Couldn’t

When in the mood, some of David Luiz’s distribution out from the back was superb. It really stood out as being some of the very best in the Premier League for centre-backs.

It came at a cost.

Painfully immobile and susceptible to transition (and most else), his limitations were clear. There is no doubting, however, how much more fluid Arsenal playing through the thirds with him in the side.

Tempo was a major issue last term as players were guilty of taking too many touches and not releasing the ball with enough speed. It resulted in predictable patterns of play and made Arsenal easy to defend against.

Like Luiz, White can progress the ball from deep through a combination of short, medium and long distribution as well as through his carries. His technical ability when running at pace is something Arsenal don’t have with their centre-backs and his calmness to pick out a pass when being pressed is a trait that can’t be taught.

He sees space and exploits it in quick time. Arsenal didn’t score anywhere near enough goals and progressing the ball at speed out of the first phase is crucial to that. Injecting rhythm out of the back with the mobility Luiz didn’t have can transform how Arsenal play through the thirds.

Interestingly, none of the three listed points mention actual defending. No discussion about how well he times his tackles, reads danger, cuts passing lanes or uses his body cleverly in duels.

(he does all of that very well, too)