Arsenal legend Martin Keown is in full agreement with Michael Owen over one of the Gunners' most "underrated" players in former Brighton man Ben White.
Having had to deal with his fair share of critics in the summer of 2021 following his £50million switch from the south coast, White has gone from strength to strength this season and is undoubtedly one of the first names on Mikel Arteta's team sheet, with his most recent performance going some way to explaining why.
White was one of the best players on the pitch during the Gunners' dominant 4-1 home victory over Crystal Palace. The win extend Arsenal's advantage at the top of the Premier League table to eight points.
The England international registered an assist for what was Arsenal's second of the game and Bukayo Saka's first, with White playing a cute, deft pass inside the full-back that opened up the ideal angle for the Gunners' No.7 to guide home.
It was the highlight of a stellar display from White, who dealt with the threat of Wilfried Zaha with relative ease all game. His defensive skill appears to know no bounds, with White making the move from central defender to right-back seamlessly this term.
That kind of skill mixed with defensive prowess certainly didn't go unnoticed. White was singled out for praise, first from Owen, who claimed his contributions up until this point have gone under the radar in the eyes of most while waxing lyrical about the way he links up with Saka.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Is White Arsenal's most underrated player? Comment below.
"That partnership was particularly impressive. That combination play is very important for Arsenal. "Ben White gets forward, he links the play and has the pace to get back when he needs to. There was a lovely moment towards the end of the game where he made a tackle and was celebrating. I feel he’s a bit of an underrated player for Arsenal at the moment."
Owen's sentiments were echoed by former Gunners defender Keown, who told BBC Sport : "Another Arsenal player who had some disappointment this week was Ben White, who wasn’t named in the England squad, and he played like he had a point to prove.
"White’s link-up play with Saka down the right is sensational and there always seems to be a chance at the end of it too."
Saka himself discussed his in-form team-mate, with the trio of the 21-year-old, White and club captain Martin Odegaard down the right-hand side proving hugely successful.
"Ben White was incredible today, he’s been incredible this season, and we’re building a great partnership – me, him and Martin on that right side," Saka explained. "Of course, I’m not going to tell you the secrets, what we work on in the training ground, but I’m enjoying playing with them."
