Arsenal have been using Ben White in the right-back area at the start of the new Premier League season. Without Takehiro Tomiyasu at the end of the previous campaign, the club suffered from a lack of balance in defence which cost them Champions League football.
Losing both Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney to long-term and persistent injury issues meant Cedric Soares and Nuno Tavares both came in but, considering their offensive style, could not recreate the quality that their Arsenal predecessors could.
White’s inclusion, whilst the Japanese international recovers from injury again, is a result of the need to have the tactical balance a full-back his style provides. The back four often becomes a back three with Oleksandr Zinchenko pushing into midfield.
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Despite White’s solid displays so far, many have suggested the position needs attention in the transfer market to avoid a repeat of last season. However, Mikel Arteta and the club made a transfer decision this week in order to prepare for the future of the position.
It is unlikely Arsenal will invest in the right-back role this summer, barring any major injury issues between now and the close of the window. White, Tomiyasu and Cedric is plenty of depth for the position.
Yet, the key choice the club has made is not to integrate Brooke Norton-Cuffy either into the youth team or even the senior side, he has now embarked on the next step of development. Joining Rotherham on loan, he has now moved into the Championship after excelling with Lincoln City for the last five months of the previous campaign in League One.
Having helped England’s under 19s win the Euros this summer, the expectation in the young right-back is growing exponentially. football.london understands that Mikel Arteta has been very impressed with the 18-year-old and this loan will be closely monitored.
He was head and shoulders above the level in League One. A tell-tale sign that a player, even at just 18 years of age is destined to make it at the top level. His dribbling, confidence and offensive drive saw him flourish whilst defensively he relished the one-on-one scenarios.
Norton-Cuffy can be the future option at right-back for Arsenal if his development is completed in the correct way. When Cedric’s time at the club comes to a close, Norton-Cuffy is ready to take that spot without inviting any need for additional investment from the club.
Having only just signed a brand new contract it is clear the future the club see for him. This season-long spell away will now be crucial for the talented teenager.
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