Graeme Souness has had a real go at an Arsenal player for something he keeps doing without getting punished.
The Gunners are currently on top of the Premier League table.
Mikel Arteta admitted in his press conference yesterday that he’s hoping Manchester City drop points in one of their remaining games. That’s the only way Arsenal can win the title.
The North Londoners, however, have to focus on their own selves, and they have a tricky game against Bournemouth coming up at lunchtime today.
One player who is almost guaranteed to start at the Emirates this afternoon has come under some serious criticism from Souness.
The Liverpool legend is absolutely furious with him.
Graeme Souness tears into Arsenal star Ben White
Arsenal fans absolutely love Ben White.
The Englishman joined the Gunners from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer of 2021, and he has been one of their most consistent performers since.
White started his Arsenal career as a centre-half, but following William Saliba‘s return from loan at the start of last season, he was made the club’s first-choice right-back.
That has proved to be a terrific decision by Mikel Arteta. White is among the best players in the Premier League in his position, and he has been amazing for Arsenal this season.
However, many people have decided to ignore White’s performances and are forcing themselves to focus on what he does during set-piece situations.
The Englishman is a real nuisance to opposition goalkeepers. He does everything he can to distract them – just ask Guglielmo Vicario, who let in two set-piece goals against Arsenal last weekend.
Souness has had his say on this situation, and he has blasted White for his antics. The pundit thinks neither of Arsenal’s goals from corners against Spurs should’ve stood and has accused the Gunners defender of ‘cheating’.
He wrote in the Daily Mail: “It happened twice in that Tottenham game. White seemed to be trying to undo goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario’s gloves before the ball reached the box for the first goal. He nudged him again on the way and backed into him on the goal-line when the third goal went in.
“White does this all the time. The referee sees him standing those two yards behind the goalkeeper – but there’s nothing to see there for Mr Plod. And Mr Plod’s attention is elsewhere when the ball is kicked and White moves in front of the goalkeeper to make that contact. Blocking him. Obstructing him.”
After pointing out the FA’s rules on obstruction, Souness added: “Set-piece genius’? Call me old-fashioned but what we’re seeing here is cheating.
“This blocking by players from set-pieces is more prevalent than ever before, which presents a challenge for referees. But Arsenal do this every game and it’s always by White, so the penny should have dropped long ago.”
Blown out of proportion
Micah Richards famously claimed a few years ago that “when it’s Arsenal, everyone wants to lump in for some reason”.
That statement stands true to this day.
Ben White has been heavily criticised by some pundits and the media for doing something that thousands of other players have done in the box.
The Arsenal man is well within his right to stand in front of the goalkeeper and distract him. That has worked this season, and the Gunners are right to continue doing the same thing.
It’s normal for certain pundits to blow things out of proportion, but it’s just sad to see Souness say what he has said about White here.
In our opinion, the Arsenal man is in the right, and we’re sure he has the support of everyone at the club.