Ben White reveals pledge to Arsenal as contract talks continue
- Ben White's Arsenal contract expires in 2026
- Talks are ongoing over a new deal for the defender
- England international eager to remain at the Emirates Stadium for as long as possible
By Sean Walsh
Arsenal defender Ben White has admitted he is keen to stay at the club 'for as long as I can' and is flattered that the feeling is mutual.
White joined the Gunners in the summer of 2021 from Brighton & Hove Albion for a £50m fee - a sum that was deemed steep at the time but was at least understandable given he was courted by various other major sides and went to Euro 2020 with England.
He formed a solid partnership alongside Gabriel Magalhaes at the heart of defence during the 2021/22 season, before being shifted to right-back the following campaign after the return of William Saliba from his loan at Marseille.
90min reported back in September that Arsenal were progressing in talks to tie White down to a new deal with his current contract up in 2026.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of Saturday's trip to Chelsea, White revealed his desire to stay at Arsenal and has put his steady progress down to the stability the club have helped provide.
When asked if he wants to extend his contract, White replied: "Yeah, of course. I want to stay at Arsenal for as long as I can, stay at the highest level and push this club back to where it needs to be.
"Whenever that's spoken about, it's an amazing feeling that someone wants you. I've still got a few years left on my current contract, so even to be speaking about it is a nice feeling."
He added: "Arsenal is the only team I've been at for more than a year. It definitely helps. Obviously, I'm getting older. I've got a wife now which is slightly different to when I was younger. Things have changed in my life.
"My wife is from around here, so it's ideal for her, and it's just an amazing club to come into every day. I think I can take things from all the clubs I've been at, but this is by far my favourite."
Prior to his move to Arsenal, White spent just one Premier League season in Brighton's first-team setup, enjoying loans at Leeds United, Peterborough United and Newport County prior to that.
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