‘Perfect fit’ Ben White makes Arsenal all right with Bukayo Saka but even without England drama he has point to prove against Man City

Manchester City host Arsenal on Sunday in what is expected to be a decisive clash in the Premier League title race.

City held Liverpool to a draw at Anfield in what could prove a crucial point last time out.

If they can repeat last season’s result by hosting the Gunners at the Etihad, then they will be in the driver’s seat to add another Premier League winners’ medal to their haul.

The game also offers the opportunity for compatriots to compete once again.

During City’s 4-1 win over Arsenal last April, Phil Foden and Ben White were both involved in a post-match crisis and the two are expected to clash on Sunday.

White was criticized for saying he did not want to be considered for the national team at this time.

However, this works in Arsenal’s favor. The Gunners have not been in action since their 1-0 penalty shootout victory over FC Porto more than two weeks ago and the last time the north London side had such a prolonged break; they came back strongly with a run of nine wins out of 10, the only setback being a 1-0 reverse at Porto.

While the international break saw Martin Odegaard and William Saliba rejoin their respective national teams, White will have used the national break to recharge after what has been another impressive season for the 26-year-old.

White returned a WhoScored rating of 6.85, the fifth highest among right-backs in the Premier League this season.

Of the six league goals the former Brighton man has directly contributed to, four have come in his last five Premier League outings.

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He proved a handy attacking outlet on the right until the break in Championship duties and the hope is that he can pick up where he left off starting with the trip to Manchester.

One of the main reasons for Arsenal’s superb campaign so far is down the right flank where White and Bukayo Saka have forged a superb partnership.

With the latter ready to cut inside the field, this opens up space for the former to overlap. It’s no wonder that 40 percent of Arsenal’s attacks fell on the right; only Sheffield United and Chelsea (both 41%) focus their attacks on that side of the pitch more frequently in the Premier League this season.

Factor in the fact that Odegaard plays to the right of the central midfield trio in Mikel Arteta’s 4-3-3 setup, and you have the ideal triumvirate on that flank to help hurt opponents.

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What could prove costly for Arsenal on Sunday, however, is that this willingness to bombard the pitch will leave space behind the Whites that can be exploited by City, and Foden in particular.

However, even then, White has the recovery pace to ensure that few, if any, opponents can capitalize on the space it frees up.

In 2022, White was recorded as Arsenal’s second fastest player behind Kieran Tierney, with a top speed of 36.36 km/h. While the desire to support Saka on the right may leave Arsenal exposed, the Gunners defender has what it takes to make up for the yards to ensure this isn’t capitalized on.

Of course, having a William Saliba-type central defender to provide cover on that side helps, but still; athleticism combined with technical ability and versatility means White is the ideal candidate at Arsenal’s right-back position.

Indeed, he has played a key role in the Gunners’ defensive resolve this season, with Mikel Arteta’s side having scored fewer goals (24) than any other Premier League team this season.

Considering they have scored more goals (70) than any team and with a willingness to attack down the right, this further amplifies the Whites’ importance to Arsenal.

While his second worst performance in a Premier League match for the Gunners came in this game last season according to WhoScored.com, he will look to prove his point this time around when Arsenal and City face off Sunday afternoon.

The 2022/23 match at the Etihad saw the Gunners’ title hopes ignite and White became involved in a heated exchange with Foden. With White well-rested after the international break, fortune could be reversed this time around.