Arsenal: Ben White’s Burnley battle is his big test

Opening day of the Premier League season, under the lights, under the cosh and under a bombardment of aerial balls, Ben White didn’t have the best of Arsenal debuts.

Thomas Frank, like all good managers should, saw a weakness in the opposition and sought to exploit it. Ivan Toney isn’t a giant by any means but he’s a menace to deal with in duels. No points awarded for guessing who his side targetted.

Arriving on an eye-watering £50m fee to become the most expensive Englishman and defender in the club’s history, White’s many qualities were highlighted upon news of the Gunners’ interest.

What he brings on the ball in progression both from distribution and carrying, as well as immense composure in possession and an increased athleticism, is unarguable. He was brought in as a young David Luiz, essentially. That was the whole point.

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Ben White faces his biggest test so far at Arsenal as he has to deal with the aerial dominance of Burnley strikers Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes

Everyone also knows where he’s weakest: in the air. Takehiro Tomiyasu has many endearing qualities of his own, one of which is designed to aid his fellow defender in the backline. Dominant in the air, he helps nullify White’s lack of aerially prowess.

He can’t contest every header directed White’s way, though.

Given it’s Burnley to come on Saturday, there will be a few of those lurking around that White will have to deal with and while he’s accustomed to the approach from his time in the Championship and having played against them for Brighton, it will be a different test in red and white.

Sean Dyche’s approach against the supposedly physically incapable Arsenal will be no different to how it’s been across all his meetings with the side: he and his team have faced Arsenal 13 times, drawing twice and winning just once.

Last season saw an increase in pressing the ball high – as noted during Granit Xhaka’s brain fart – and more of that will be wholly welcome. After all, playing out from the back is designed to invite the opposition to move forward as a unit. That’s the whole point. White, of all in the back four, will favour that the most.

But Burnley also love hitting their big front two of Chris Wood and Ashley Barnes early, and from distance; either win the first header or scoop up the second balls. Wood stands at nearly 6’3″, so who get the job of singling out White will be an easy decision to make.

Tomiyasu and Gabriel will have to ensure their distances are manageable for their teammate just as White will need to study the action of the opposing forward pair in the build up to decipher what methods they use in regards to technique, elbow positioning and jumping stance. All seem trivial, but all are important in order to counteract their height and physical dominance.

Having a goalkeeper like Aaron Ramsdale who won’t stay rooted to his goal line will help, too.

Few defenders can cope with the approach. Burnley play to their strengths and this particular leverage of theirs is effective for a reason.

Tougher Premier League fixtures will pass by the White offering a different test entirely, but having seen how the struggled against Toney on opening day, the record-breaking arrival will have to show his mettle in a way unlike that he’s dealt with thus far in north London.

It’s one of the key battles to look out for at in Lancashire.