Arsenal have announced their third signing of the summer in the form of English defender Ben White.
The 23-year-old joins the Gunners from Brighton after establishing himself as one of the Premier League's most promising ball-playing centre-backs during the course of the 2020/21 campaign.
White has joined the north London club on a long-term deal and will don the number four jersey, previously word by Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny.
Arsenal paid a reported £50million to secure the services of the former Leeds United loanee after seeing a previous offer of around £40million rejected last month.
The Gunners faithful immediately flocked to social media to voice their support for White and even banter local rivals Tottenham in the process. Here's how a select number of fans reacted on Twitter to the news.
@WelBeast : "£50M is a bargain."
@iwobiflick17 : "What a signing!"
@AFCWilliam__ : "England’s best CB is joining the biggest club in England!!!!!"
@TheFalseNein : "Now Spurs aren't even the best White in North London."
@elspanishgooner : "BEST CENTRE BACK IN THE EPL."
Manager Mikel Arteta admitted he was ecstatic to bring White to the club ahead of the 2021/22 season, citing his loan spell with Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds as an important part of his development.
“Ben was a top target for us and it’s great that we’ve completed his signing", he told the club's website. Ben has been educated with two very good clubs, Brighton and Leeds, in recent seasons.
"He has benefitted well from two very good coaching set-ups and has shown with both Brighton and on loan with Leeds what a strong talent he is.
"Ben is an intelligent defender who is very comfortable with the ball at his feet and his style fits perfectly with us. And of course, he is still young, so his age and profile fits with what we are building here. We are all looking forward to Ben being central to our future long-term plans."
