Despite the Arsenal back-line that started against Burnley having an average age of just 23, they showed maturity beyond their years to see out the game from an onslaught of Burnley attacks. Aaron Ramsdale, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Gabriel Magalhaes and Kieran Tierney. All showed willingness to fight for each-other and the badge on their shirts. The scenes at the end of the game were of brotherhood, as they helped each-other to their feet and enjoyed the well earned clean sheet.
Arsenal’s back-line has seen lots of changes over the last season or two. Centre-backs have come and gone, the right-back position alone has seen four different names. The only positions that have seen any sort of long-term consistency are the goal-keeper and left-back. At just 24, Kieran Tierney will no doubt keep the left-back position for many years to come. Bernd Leno had looked a certain number 1 for Arsenal but in recent weeks has lost his spot to new signing Aaron Ramsdale. Ramsdale looks to be favoured by Mikel Arteta due to his superior ball playing ability and stronger command over his box.
Now, what Arsenal’s group of young defenders need more than anything, is stability. To develop and build the relationships that will form Arsenal’s long-term back-line is crucial. Most of all, it is the two men who centre Arsenal’s defence that must perfectly understand each-other and create a partnership.
Ben White and Gabriel Magalhaes compliment each-other perfectly on paper. White is a phenom with the ball at his feet, able to hit long passes and dribble past defenders with ease. Gabriel is simply a monstrous defender. Six feet two and built like a brick wall, even the strongest of strikers struggle to tussle with the Brazilian. Not to say either player is weak in their partner’s strength, but their strengths are complimentary to each-other.
Against Burnley, we weren’t able to see much of White’s ball-playing ability due to the nature of the game but he was very solid defensively. Although an area of the English international’s game often criticised, White won five of eight aerial duals. He made six clearances and four interceptions. A key part of what won Arsenal’s clean-sheet.
He also made a mistake, sending a weak pass back to Ramsdale and giving away a penalty. However, the VAR check showed White had been bailed out by his fellow countryman, who poked away the ball in his tackle. The centre-half expressed his gratitude in his post-match interview and shared a hug with Ramsdale as the full-time whistle sounded.
Similar skill-sets can be seen in every of Arsenal’s young defenders. All possess the grit and determination to defend in tough situations. They will put their bodies on the line and defend Arsenal’s goal. However, they are also very technical footballers. All capable of playing with the ball and building Arsenal’s attacks from the base.
Ramsdale for example, who spent his game at Turf Moor plucking crosses from in between seas of bodies, before throwing the ball up and volleying a pin-point through ball to Aubameyang. A combination of the two seems to be Mikel Arteta’s ideal.
As Arsenal prepare for the first North London Derby of the season Sunday, the young back five will likely start once again. Against Heung-Min Son and Harry Kane, the back-line as a whole will face their biggest test yet. Only by fighting for each-other and suffering for their teammates will Arsenal’s back-line succeed. Sunday is a perfect platform to demonstrate it.
At the end of the Burnley game, pictures of each Arsenal defender hugging and celebrating with each-other went viral. Fans will be hoping to see similar scenes on Sunday.