Ben White Made A Brilliant Goal Saving Block During Arsenal Friendly
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Ben White made an instant impact for Arsenal, as he made a goal saving block in a pre season friendly against Chelsea on Sunday.
White's move from Brighton to Arsenal for £50 million was made official earlier this week, after his performances in his debut Premier League season impressed the Gunners.
Arsenal's main problems were actually in attack last season, as they finished in eighth place, but there's no doubt their new signing will improve their defence.
He made an instant impact, just days after signing, as he came on as a substitute in Arsenal's loss to Chelsea, less than two weeks before their Premier League season gets underway.
White managed to sprint back and make a block from Hakim Ziyech, when the Blues forward had a pretty much open goal to aim at.
Ben White with a brilliant goal-saving block to deny Hakim Ziyech. [@TheAFCnewsroom] #afc pic.twitter.com/WnvR95vmKy
- afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 1, 2021
It was initially great work from Callum Chambers to slow Ziyech down, and give White the chance to get back, but the centre back still needed to sprint and throw himself in the way of the ball.
Of course you might also ask what in the world Bernd Leno is doing to allow Ziyech to be through on goal like that, and you'd be right to in fairness.
Before White came on to shore things up at the back for Mikel Arteta's side, there was certainly some questions to asked about the defending from the north Londoners.
First they were hit on the break as Kai Havertz put the European champions ahead in the first half, with little cover in defence.
Kai Havertz gave #CFC the lead against #AFC in their pre-season clash with an unerring finish
- The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) August 1, 2021
There's around 25 minutes left to play at the Emirates...
:movie_camera: @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/27Y8ertsMM
After Granit Xhaka managed to equalise in the 69th minute, things got a lot less nice for Arsenal once again, as Tammy Abraham put the visitors ahead for a second time, with White actually on the pitch this time.
The striker, who has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, and is apparently a better signing than if Manchester City get Harry Kane, was allowed all the space in the world inside the box to shoot straight past Leno.
Chelsea ran out 2-1 winners against Arsenal in their pre-season encounter :large_blue_circle:
- The Athletic UK (@TheAthleticUK) August 1, 2021
Tammy Abraham netted the winner but controversy reigned late on - Joe Willock's effort crossed the line but wasn't given, with goalline technology not in use
:movie_camera: @ChelseaFC pic.twitter.com/j45dVCP4Py
It has already been suggested that White is too good for Arsenal, despite the fact he's only played full season in the top tier.
By the looks of it, they certainly need him to be at his best if they're to get back into the race for the top four.
The Gunners kick off their season against Brentford on Friday 13th, the opening day of the Premier League season.
Featured Image Credit: Arsenal FC
Topics: Chelsea, Football, Ben White, Premier League, Arsenal
