ARSENAL have been urged to bring in a no-nonsense defender to compliment £50million summer recruit Ben White in the heart of their struggling backline.
Gunners legend Lauren believes ball-playing centre-half White needs a more rugged partner to realise his potential in Mikel Arteta’s side.
Arsenal have conceded nine goals in three defeats at the start of their Prem campaign and been missing ex-Brighton star White due to Covid in poor displays against Chelsea and Manchester City over the past nine days.
Lauren, 44, a tough-tackling right-back in the Gunners’ 2003-04 Invincibles team, says only the right balance in central defence will help stem the tide.
The retired Cameroon star told Gambling Deals: “You cannot have two centre-backs with the exact same characteristics in the same team.
“One has to ideally be much better on and around the ball, comfortable using it to play the diagonal balls through to the players upfront, and be aggressive in their approach with the ball.
“The other doesn’t have to necessarily be as technical but can be more aggressive and physical against long balls and set pieces.
“Ben White is a fantastic addition because he can come out with the ball from the back and move into those positions in the midfield.
“In today’s game you press high to win the ball, and having Ben White means you can come out from the back and play when under pressure.
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“His partner will possibly have to be more aggressive and stronger on set pieces. If we can match those two qualities, Ben White will prove to be a fantastic addition in the future.”
Dorset-born White earned a late Euro 2020 call-up for England and a big money move to the Emirates after a strong showing at Albion last season.
He had a breakthrough campaign on loan at Leeds in the previous campaign in a central defensive partnership alongside physically dominant Liam Cooper in a Whites side which eased to the Championship title.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
