Bukayo Saka had a big influence on former Brighton defender Ben White signing for Arsenal.

The Athletic says Saka gave manager Mikel Arteta 'overwhelmingly' positive feedback on the defender, giving the Gunners the green light to push ahead with the deal.

White shares mutual respect with Saka after naming the teenager as one of the players he is most excited to play with at the Emirates.

"So I had a bit with Bukayo over the summer," White said in his first Arsenal interview.

"I hadn't seen much of him before then and he really surprised me how talented he is.

"[I didn't train against him a lot] but some of the other boys did. He's so sharp and I was really surprised how good he is."