Arsenal: 5 Ainsley Maitland-Niles midfield replacements

2. Benjamin White

Trying to find reasons to justify forking out over £50m on Benjamin White’s signature, his versatility was highlighted among the many qualities he possessed. It wasn’t just a wild attempt at justification though, it’s true.

Proving as much with an excellent display a right-back for Arsenal in the 5-0 rout over Norwich, the biggest compliment that can be paid to White was that Takehiro Tomiyasu wasn’t missed on the day.

Norwich are a woeful team, granted, but White’s experience in playing in back three systems and even as right wing-back put him in good stead to cover that position in the inverted style of his teammate.

But what about midfield? It’s here he’s played on far fewer occasions.

Him and Gabriel at centre-back is like having two midfielders anyway. The modern central defender has to be so comfortable in possession and willing to carry the ball out that their skillsets have a venn diagram meeting point. White is effectively a central/holding midfielder, and has played there before, so it wouldn’t be a great shock to see him handed a few appearances in the role.

It’s not the best solution, of course, but if options were scarce it would be one of the more suitable internal calls to make.

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