I am not the most professional player at Arsenal but this is why Mikel Arteta keeps picking me

Arsenal defender Ben White is one of the first names on the teamsheet for Mikel Arteta each weekend but by his own admission it is not because of professionalism

Arsenal defender Ben White believes his ability to evade injury is the reason why he is consistently picked by Mikel Arteta.

White has become an ever-present member of the Arsenal squad since his 2021 move from Brighton and Hove Albion. Transitioning into a right-back at the Emirates Stadium, the Englishman featured in all but one Premier League match last season and has already made five appearances in the top flight this campaign.

Currently, he has missed the past two matches for Arsenal in the league after suffering a knee injury but White has managed to miss just nine matches in total in the Premier League over four seasons. In an interview with former Manchester United and Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster for Amazon Prime, White explained why he feels he has managed to become integral to the Gunners while also evading injury.

"I really don’t know [how I look after myself so well]," he admitted. "I think if you were to ask anyone at the club who is the most professional, it wouldn’t be me.

"I wouldn’t go in the ice bath, I wouldn’t stretch, I don’t do none of that. I think it is just a case that I don’t get injured.

"I think it is probably the fact I am not super quick, I am not that powerful, so I can just plod along. If you look at wingers, they are so fast and using so much force so there is obviously a bigger chance that they will get injured. I can play through a lot."

READ MORE: The nine injury questions Arteta must answer pre-Bournemouth

READ MORE: What Tuchel has said about White as England await decision

After narrowly missing out on the victory against Southampton before the October international break, White is expected to be back in contention on Saturday evening when the Gunners make the trip to AFC Bournemouth.

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