Arsenal center defender, Ben White has revealed that he doesn’t watch football, a habit he said grew with him from childhood.
He noted that if he is not on the training ground practicing the game or playing a football match, he prefers to use his spare time to do other things instead of watching the game.
While trying to explain why he doesn’t enjoy watching football, Ben White stressed that the game is too “intense” to spend most of the time in training and playing then return home to watch football.
Even though he is a professional footballer, White revealed that he doesn’t know much about the past generation of players in detail. He however made mention of Arsenal’s legend Patrick Vieira (current Crystal Palace coach) whom he described as a “very good player” that he doesn’t know much about.
Though Ben White admitted his hate for sitting down to watch football games, he does not always snub the game when it comes up on the television set. The England international said he sometimes make out time to watch games involving the Three Lions of England [England national football team] and also watches his clips for analytical purposes.
“Football is so intense,” he told Sky Sports News ahead of the Arsenal Premier League game against Crystal Palace which is scheduled to kick off at 20:00 on October 18, 2021.
“You come in every day giving 100 percent. All I want to do is go home and not think about it, then come in in the morning fresh and ready to give 100 percent again.
“I watch myself for analytical reasons. I watch England, maybe, but I’m always busy doing something. I wouldn’t just sit down and watch a game.
“I didn’t ever watch football when I was younger. I still don’t know. I just loved the game, I was always playing it, never watching.
“So I don’t know too much about the older generations, but I know Vieira was a very good player. But I don’t know the details.”
I love this from Ben White. No media trained PR nonsense, just honesty. He basically says he doesn’t watch football because he’d rather give 100% towards playing it, and then keep himself busy with other things when he isn’t playing or training. pic.twitter.com/1m0fpVmoxa
— GoonerTalk (@GoonerTaIk) October 15, 2021
He is not Ben White, he is Benjamin White
White hit the limelight at Brighton as Ben White. He is being called by this name all over the internet, the traditional media, and even during live football commentary.
In an interview with Sky Sports, the football star has made it clear that his name is actually Benjamin, not just Ben.
He however noted that he does not have a problem with what people decide to call him.
“You can call me whatever you want, I just might not reply but my name is actually Benjamin”, he said.
Ben White’s rise at Arsenal
Arsenal football club paid the sum of £50 million to Brighton to acquire the services of Ben White on July 30, 2021. Shortly after the deal, the England international contracted the dreaded coronavirus which kept him out for some games.
The virus forced him to miss out on Arsenal’s 2-0 defeat at the hands of Brentford on August 13 and the club’s 0-2 defeat at the hands of Chelsea. He also missed Arsenal’s 5-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City on August 28.
But before the October FIFA international break, the Englishman has become one of the brightest stars under coach Mikel Arteta. He has helped the club to win their last three Premier League games.
Ben White said: “The first game didn’t go very well. Then I got Covid and missed two games. Then we were straight back in and that’s where we picked up.
“I don’t think adapting to a big club (was a reason for my slow start). It didn’t feel like a big club when I came here. Everyone is so nice and welcoming.
“Clean sheets are the aim for the team. I don’t think it’s just the back four and goalie that keep a clean sheet – it’s the whole team. It’s come into my game since I’ve been at Arsenal – the love of defending and keeping a clean sheet.”
