Credit: Imago

Oliver Walton

Wed 18 March 2026 7:01, UK

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Arsenal should have their reservations over selling Ben White this summer after his stellar showing in their 2-0 Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen.

Arsenal cruised to the Champions League quarter-finals with a 2-0 win over Leverkusen on Tuesday night at the Emirates Stadium.

Eberechi Eze’s screamer and Declan Rice’s curled finish gave Mikel Arteta’s side the victory after their 1-1 draw in the round of 16 first leg last week.

White made his second start in the Gunners’ last nine matches at right-back, with Jurrien Timber out injured, and he barely put a foot wrong in a strong showing.

Key man Saka clearly enjoyed playing in front of the 28-year-old, and White could be in line to start Arsenal’s next match as they face Man City in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.

Ben White and Bukayo Saka linked up well vs Leverkusen

White and Saka have played regularly on the right flank together for the past few seasons, and the defender’s struggles to start every week in 2025-26 have coincided with the England winger’s drop off in performances.

It may well be nothing more than a coincidence, as Jurrien Timber has been one of the best right-backs in the world in recent times, but White’s return to the fold against Leverkusen felt like a boost for Saka as he delivered a fine showing on Tuesday.

The Arsenal captain created five chances, took four shots on target, and was a real threat throughout as White’s underlapping runs made space for the 24-year-old to shine.

White himself created one chance and had 87 per cent pass accuracy, with five passes into the final third and 100 per cent cross accuracy.

He has been linked with a move away from the Emirates over recent months after Timber took his starting berth, but it would clearly not be a good idea to let him go, as he can regularly get the best out of the Gunners’ most dangerous forward.

What are the latest odds on White’s next move?

Football Insider recently revealed that Everton are still interested in signing White this summer after they failed in a bid to make him theirs in January.

They are currently 13/2 to be the club he is contracted to at the end of the next window, according to two of the UK’s leading bookmakers.

Arsenal remain the favourites to retain his services, at odds of 1/4, but he is also 3/1 to join any MLS team and 4/1 to move to any Saudi Pro League side.

Barcelona are also named in the running to be his next club, at odds of 5/1, while he is 9/1 to join Man City and 11/1 to be a Newcastle player in September.