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Arsenal defender Ben White has admitted he was never a football fan when he was younger and rarely watches matches to this day.
The centre-back joined the Emirates from Brighton for £50million this summer and has impressed with his gutsy displays at the back, but despite taking the club's iconic No 4 shirt - once held by legend Patrick Vieira - he knows little about the famous Frenchman or the history of the game.
White will come up against Vieira when he makes his return to the Emirates on Saturday with Crystal Palace, but when asked if he saw the former midfielder play, the defender revealed he prefers playing football to watching it.
Arsenal defender Ben White has admitted he never grew up watching football as a child
'No I never watched football when I was younger, still don't now,' he told Sky Sports. 'I just loved the game, I was always playing it - never watching it. So I don't know too much about older generations.
'I know [Vieira] was a very good player. But I wouldn't know the details. I'm quite busy, I'm always doing something. I watch myself for analytical reasons. I watch England, maybe. I just wouldn't just sit down and watch a game.'
White - who was playing in League Two with Newport County just three years ago - made his name in the Championship with Leeds United two seasons ago,
