Ben White sends rare Leeds message as Arsenal future becomes clearer

Arsenal defender Ben White has posted about his former club Leeds United on social media.

The 28-year-old spent the 2019-20 season on loan with the Whites from Brighton and may well have returned permanently.

However, Leeds could not agree a fee with the Seagulls, and the England international would spend a season in the Premier League before securing a £50million move to Arsenal.

White has been tipped to leave the Gunners this summer after another injury-hit campaign, with two years remaining on his contract and the option of a third.

However, confirmation of William Saliba's long-term absence due to a back injury will likely see the defender stay at the club this summer.

Arsenal are reportedly looking for another defender, but will need as much cover as possible at both right-back and centre-back.

Ben White posts Leeds story

White has had a complicated relationship with Leeds and their fans since leaving the club.

The Elland Road faithful fell in love him in the season he was there, after he played every single Championship minute as they won the title.

It was not his fault that he could not return, however, and Leeds fans remained hopeful that a future move could be possible.

The chances of that fell apart when White joined Arsenal for big money, and the years since have seen the relationship deteriorate.

The 28-year-old scored against Leeds in 2023 and celebrated the goal, but it was a game in 2021 that first saw the relationship sour.

Arsenal had beaten the Whites 4-1 at Elland Road, with White playing the full 90 and posting on Instagram after the game with the caption: "Three points wallop".

Leeds fans took offence and have booed the defender in recent years, although the love is not all lost.

White posted to his Instagram story this week, reposting a video of his goal for Leeds against Charlton with a heart.

What White said on Leeds reunion

It will not be this summer, but White may well return to Leeds for another season at some point.

After returning to Elland Road for the first time as Brighton player in 2021, he said: "Last year was so special for me. To come back today was absolutely amazing.

"We're down there in the league so every point matters. It's been a positive week for us so to get the three points today was amazing.

"Leeds are always running. They don't stop. The way they play is amazing to watch but the boys dug deep and ran as much as they did. They did well."