Where are they now? The 6 players Arsenal signed alongside Ben White in 2021
Ben White joined Arsenal in the summer of 2021 in a deal worth £50million from Brighton, but what happened to the other six players that the Gunners signed that summer?
It’s safe to say that White has been a success since making the switch to north London. He’s already racked up over 100 appearances for the club and these days is one of the first names on the teamsheet.
He recently penned a fresh contract extension with Arsenal that will keep him at the club until 2028, with the option of an extra year.
“It’s great news that Ben is committing his future to the club. Ben is a key player for us, a top professional with a winning mentality, and one of the guys who leads by example every day,” Arteta said regarding White’s new deal.
We’ve gone back to the summer of 2021 and have assessed the other six signings that Arsenal made to see where they are now.
Aaron Ramsdale
The England international quickly made a name for himself in north London as he soon overtook Bernd Leno in the pecking order to become Arteta’s first choice.
Signed for an initial fee of £24million, Arsenal got a good deal on Ramsdale. He enjoyed two solid years as the starting shot-stopper, racking up 89 appearances in that time.
However, following the arrival of David Raya, he’s not had the best of times. Every so often he’s been handed a chance, but his confidence seems to have taken a significant knock over these last few months.
Having only featured in six league games this season, his long-term future at the club is up in the air.
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Takehiro Tomiyasu
The Japanese full-back has been a solid performer for Arsenal, but he’s not had a great deal of luck when it comes to injuries. Since his arrival from Bologna, he’s missed over 40 matches with various knocks.
Given his injury-prone nature, the 25-year-old is regarded as more of a squad player these days. With White holding down the starting spot at right back, Tomiyasu is firmly behind the England international in the pecking order.
Nuno Tavares
The Portuguese full-back was an exciting prospect when Arsenal picked him up in 2021, but Tavares endured a difficult debut season with the Gunners.
Following the arrival of Oleksandr Zinchenko in the following summer, Tavares quickly fell down the pecking order and has spent the last couple of years out on loan.
The 24-year-old did show signs of improvement last season with Marseille, but the 2023-24 campaign has been a frustrating one. He’s currently on loan with Nottingham Forest but has missed the bulk of the season through injury.
Forest do have the option to purchase Taveres for £12million, but it seems unlikely that they will take up this option.
Albert Sambi Lokonga
Arsenal splashed a reported £17.2million fee on the Belgium midfielder in the summer of 2021. Once a highly-rated prospect for Anderlecht, Gunners fans are yet to see the best of the 24-year-old.
He’s spent the last season a half out on loan and his chances of breaking back into the Arsenal team seem slim.
To be fair, Lokonga has done fairly well in the games that he’s played for Luton this season, but an exit from Arsenal in the summer seems more than likely.
Martin Odegaard
Undoubtedly, the best signing that Arsenal made in the summer of 2021. At £30million, he was their second most expensive signing that summer, but he’s been worth every penny.
In 141 outings for Arsenal, the attacking midfielder has produced 33 goals and 23 assists. He’s also taken on the captain’s armband and is one of the leading voices in that dressing room.
All things considered, he’s been an excellent signing.
READ: Martin Odegaard: Revisiting the four alternatives Arsenal chased in 2021
Mika Biereth
Perhaps one of the more forgettable names that arrived that summer. Biereth is still on the books at Arsenal, but he’s yet to make a senior appearance for the club.
The Danish forward has spent the last three years out on loan and currently plays for Austrian outfit Sturm Graz. Now 21 years old, his chances of breaking into the Arsenal squad seem slim.
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