Ben White signs new Arsenal contract through 2028

Arsenal signed White from Brighton in July 2021 for £50 million (AUD $96.9 million).  

Arsenal defender Ben White has signed a new contract with the Gunners. His new deal is a 12-extension on his old contract. It will see him stay at the club through the 2028 season.  
 
White joined Arsenal from Brigthon in 2021 on a £50 million (AUD $96.9 million) deal. He has become a key player for Mikel Arteta since then, being used as both a centre and right back. 
 
This news comes on the same day that it was revealed by media in the U.K. that White has turned down an England call-up for this month’s international break. 

White signs new deal

When Ben White signed for Arsenal in 2021 for £50 million, there was a lot of criticism against the club for supposedly overspending on the young centre back.  
 
After all, White had just one season of Premier League soccer with Brighton under his belt, and Manchester United had signed four time Champions League winner and World Champion Raphaël Varane for £15 million less than Arsenal spent on White. In 2024, it’s clear that the Gunners did not overspend.  
 
Ben White has made 122 appearances for Arsenal and has been one of Mikel Arteta’s main men since signing, and they’ve now locked him down to a new, improved contract.  
 
White’s old deal was set to expire in 2027. His deal, which runs through 2028, is expected to give the centre back a big pay raise as well as keep him at the club longer.  

White turns down England 

News of Ben White’s new contract was not the only reason the Brighton academy graduate was in the news on Thursday.  
 
England manager Gareth Southgate announced his England squad on Thursday. White’s name was not on it. This is typical, as he has not appeared for England since the 2022 World Cup.  
 
Reports broke at the same time that England’s squad announcement came out that Arsenal had told the FA that White did not want to be selected. It hasn’t been confirmed, but rumours say White is unwilling to join the England squad because of a dust-up between himself and SouthGate’s assistant manager Steve Holland.  

Even without White, England are one of the favourites to win Euro 2024 in Germany this summer. The betting sites typically give the Three Lions the best or second best odds to win just behind France.