Ben White was partly responsible for Switzerland Breel Embolo’s opening goal in England’s 2-1 win at Wembley on Saturday
By Kehinde Okeowo
Arsenal legend, Ian Wright has risen in defence of Arsenal’s £50 million summer signing Ben White after he was criticised by former Manchester United midfielder
Roy Keane.
The 24-year-old Arsenal defender started for England on Saturday as the Three Lions defeated Switzerland 2-1 in a friendly match at Wembley Stadium.
The Rossocrociati broke the deadlock when Breel Embolo scored a well-timed header in the 22nd minute. But England equalised through Uniteds’ right back Luke Shaw, just before halftime.
There was little to separate the two teams thereafter. However, in the 78th minute, Harry Kane stepped forward to convert a spot-kick after Steven Zuber was judged to have handled the ball in the box by the referee.
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Former Manchester United captain Roy Keane while analysing the match on ITV said White was partly responsible for Switzerland’s goal as he got caught underneath the ball, after getting his body position was ‘all wrong’.
“They’ve got to get closer but as soon as it leaves his foot, White’s body position is all wrong, Embolo’s got his number.
“He just got caught out, as simple as that. It’s a great finish and he got punished. You hope sometimes to get away with it, but it’s a great delivery and he’s just been caught out.” Keane said.
Reacting to the criticism, Arsenal legend Ian Wright argued that the criticism aimed at White was harsh and added that outside the mistake, the former Brighton center-back quietly impressed.
“I think, being called up as late as he did because of the injury in the warm-up, there was a bit of nerves, you could see that. But I thought he did well in the game, to be honest. He did very well,” Wright responded.
White has been impressive this season after his move to Arsenal from Brighton and he and Gabriel have formed a partnership in the Premier League that is becoming increasingly difficult to breach.
He could yet feature for England on Tuesday against the Ivory Coast, but his teammates Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Aaron Ramsdale all withdrew from the squad due to injuries and sickness.
Arsenals’ next game in the Premier League after the international break will be a test against Crystal Palaces at Selhurst Park, they will go into the game with a lot of confidence after winning 5 straight away games.