Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have now branded one Arsenal star a “joke” for something he did against Brighton on Saturday.
Arsenal produced an efficient and professional performance as they earned a 3-0 win against Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
The Gunners travelled to the Amex Stadium knowing that a win would send them back to the top of the Premier League table. However, Mikel Arteta’s side betrayed no sign of nerves as they kept the hosts at arms’ length.
It was a ruthlessly effective defensive performance from the North London club. The Arsenal defence has been in a class of its own this season, and they were once again dominant in this match. The Gunners restricted the Seagulls to just two shots on target, neither of which came from clear-cut opportunities.
Arteta’s side were impressive going forward as well. Arsenal put on a record-breaking attacking display against Brighton.
One player who has an important role to play at both ends of the pitch for Gunners is Ben White. The right-back is an incredibly reliable and solid defender, but he also plays an important function in the final third as he regularly pushes up the flank to support Bukayo Saka.
How Ben White provoked the Brighton fans
White was excellent against his former club, despite receiving some hostility from the Brighton fans throughout the match.
The 26-year-old was the target of significant boos from the home supporters at one stage in the match when he went down off the ball after an encounter with Pervis Estupinan.
Replays showed that the Brighton man has raised his hands towards White’s face, but actual contact was absolutely minimal. After a brief moment of hesitation, the Arsenal man then went to ground in highly dramatic fashion, clutching his throat as if he was in significant pain.
Of course, the full-back was seeking to con the referee and incite some sort of punishment for Estupinan. It is unsurprising that these antics drew the ire of the home crowd.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Arsenal ace Ben White from his wife to tattoos
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer reflect on Ben White incident in Arsenal win v Brighton
Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer have now discussed the moment on The Rest is Football podcast. Lineker asked, “should we mentioned the Ben White incident?”
The former Newcastle United striker then stated, “yes we should. What a joke that was.”
Lineker then added, “what I don’t understand – play-acting I don’t like, I never have, I don’t get it…do you not think to yourself, ‘God, that’s a bit embarrassing doing that’? Ben White’s not the only one.”
It would perhaps be fair to say to characterise White as the kind of player who you love when he represents your club, but who is hard to like when lining up for the opposition. He is certainly beloved by Arsenal fans, and as suggested by Lineker, is far from alone when it comes to being willing to try to exaggerate contact in this fashion.
White has a reputation as being something of a “wind-up merchant” at Arsenal, which was perhaps in evidence here as he knew his actions would provoke the supporters. He was all smiles after the final whistle though, as White was seen pulling a prank on Martin Odegaard on the pitch.
