Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn has given defender Ben White some valuable tips on how to adjust to life in the Gunners’ starting-11.
White signed a five-year deal with Arsenal this summer for a whopping fee of £50million which raised eyebrows, despite the 23-year-old being an England international.
The former Brighton centre-back was bought for his excellent ball-playing ability and composure but has looked shaky at times so far this season in Mikel Arteta’s side.
Winterburn believes that fans and pundits need to be patient with White before offering him tips on how to avoid getting into sticky situations while playing out from the back.
Speaking to Paddy Power, Winterburn said: “Ben White needs time to settle in at Arsenal. When I played, and even now when I’m doing analysis, we should give players six months to settle into a club.
“But when you cost £50m and you’re thrust into the first team, you’re going to be judged immediately.
“You’re coming to a team who have historically been so good. They’re one of the biggest teams in the league, despite being in a difficult period.
“He’ll be judged differently to when he was at Brighton. I don’t know whether he’s looked nervy or on edge, but he needs time to settle in and play with that back four.
Do you think Ben White will justify his £50m price-tag this season? Let us know in the comments section.
“If I was a manager and giving him advice, what I would say to him is decision-making. Playing out from the back is all about risk assessment.
“It doesn’t matter what a manager asks you to do, if Ben thinks it’s too risky to do that, he has to take the other option. He has to think more while he’s playing.”
Arteta’s side have conceded nine goals already in the league, with White featuring in the 2-0 opening day loss to Brentford.
Arsenal, however, have maintained two clean sheets in their two league matches, with a 1-0 away win over Burnley.