Arsenal idol reacts as Ben White lambasted by Agbonlahor
Kevin Campbell has urged Arsenal defender Ben White to add more “aggression” to his game next season.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Gunners and Everton striker said the 24-year-old “does not fill strikers with trepidation.”
In an interview with this site (29 June), ex-Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor claimed White is “very overrated” and “lacks pace and aggression”.
Arsenal signed White from Brighton in a £50million deal last summer.
The England international was a regular starter alongside Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of Mikel Arteta’s defence in the 2021-22 campaign.
When asked by Football Insider for his assessment of Agbonlahor’s comments, Campbell said: “Gabriel Agbonlahor knows what he’s talking about.
“Ben White does not fill you with trepidation if you are playing against him. I think Gabriel has that though. He is a lot more physical. That is what Agbonlahor is saying.
“I don’t think he’s saying he’s a bad player. He’s just saying he lacks that aggression.
“Ben White has made the England squad with the attributes he has got. That is the key.
“Can he get more aggressive? I think he can. Over time he will, I’m sure.
“It is all a part of learning. When you want to win, you have got to be tough, hard to beat and you have to rough people up at times. That is what I believe Gabby Agbonlahor is talking about.
“I believe Ben White has it in him. He is a ball playing centre-half but you cannot just be a ball player. You have to have that bit of steel and that nasty streak in you.”
In other news, a pundit has claimed Arsenal are ‘in pole position’ to sign Youri Tielemans ahead of Newcastle United.