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Pundit Noel Whelan has explained why he has strong backing for Arsenal’s impending transfer for Brighton centre-back Ben White.

Mikel Arteta’s Gunners look to be closing in on a deal for the 23-year-old England international. He initially made his name on a loan spell with Brighton in 2019/20. Indeed, he played all 46 Championship games to help the Whites achieve promotion as champions. However, he has progressed since moving back to the south coast.

Last term, he missed only two Premier League matches and subsequently attracted fresh transfer interest.

Arsenal had an initial £40million bid for White rejected earlier this month, before reports claimed that he had told friends that he wants to move to the Emirates Stadium.

Since then, White has broken his silence, claiming that he is not listening to the “nice” noise over his future.

But as such talk grows, ex-Leeds man – who enjoyed watching the centre-back for Leeds – has admitted that he cannot wait to see the player line up for Arsenal. He will do so having earned his first England cap in a warm-up match earlier this year.

“I think the international cap has really pushed his value up,” Whelan told Football Insider.

“I called it when he first came to Leeds that he’d be playing international football in two, three years.

“With the style of play, he’s a centre-back that is a modern-day centre-back. The one thing Arsenal have been missing is that playmaker from the back, somebody with that bit of pace.

“He ticks every box for me, Ben White, hence why we were priced out of him. We knew he was going to be a star, a big player playing international football.”

Whelan added that, as well as his traits, the signing itself will be crucial for Arteta’s defence.

David Luiz has been released after a second season under the Spanish boss.

Pundit backs White, Arsenal transfer

“He does fit Arsenal down to a tee, I’ll be honest with you,” Whelan added.

“If it wasn’t going to be Leeds, I think Ben White going to Arsenal, that is the style of player that he is now.

“In my eyes, that background of Arsenal, how they play the game, there’s no doubt about it, they need a rebuild at the back, especially in that centre-half area.”

Arsenal are also after a midfield addition, with a deal for Anderlecht’s Albert Sambi Lokonga reportedly close.

READ MORE: ‘Breakthrough’ expected soon as Arsenal improve bid for top midfield target

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