A ball playing centre-back with classic defensive attributes, Benjamin Arthur joined Brentford B in the summer of 2023 on a three-year deal, arriving from Peterborough United, where he rose through the academy ranks.
The strong defender made a significant impact in the Under-18 setup at Peterborough, helping the team achieve a cup double.
His impressive performances earned him a call-up to England’s U18 squad for the International Tournament of Lisbon in June 2023, where he showcased his talent in three matches, including draws against Norway and Portugal, and a victory over Australia. Arthur has also represented England U19s in a camp in March 2024, where he started in a 3-2 friendly defeat to the USA.
Described by B team head coach Neil MacFarlane as composed and a physical presence, Arthur had a wonderful 2024/25 campaign, winning the Under-21s Player of the Year.
In a standout individual season, the centre-back recorded 71 per cent success in defensive duels and 86 per cent success in aerial duels, both the highest in the B team. He also displayed his ball playing ability, with 88.3 per cent passing accuracy, as well as demonstrating a goal threat, scoring twice from set pieces.
Arthur was a mainstay in the side which reached three finals in that season, scoring a powerful header in the Premier League Cup final at Loftus Road, before helping the B team lift the Under-21 Professional Development League trophy following a dramatic 3-2 away win at AFC Bournemouth.
The young centre-back models his game off Liverpool and Holland’s Virgil van Dijk, and believes that the composure he has on the ball at the heart of the Bees’ defence comes from his time spent playing in midfield when he was younger.
“I like Virgil van Dijk - I get compared to him quite a bit - I try not to let it get to my head”
“It’s a fantastic comparison. I watch his games and implement some of the things he does on the pitch into my game."
Arthur played 34 games for the B team in the 2024/25 campaign and is a versatile defender, easily able to switch roles between a centre-back pairing or a back three. Following an excellent season and having caught the eye of head coach Thomas Frank, Benjamin was promoted to the first-team squad.
Arthur featured on the bench for the first team on numerous occasions that season and was hungry to keep developing to make his debut, stating that he wanted to add more aggression to his game in order to take the next step.
“I want to improve the aggressive side of my game. I play a lot of nice football, the composed side of being a modern centre-back," he says.
“If I can get that aggression and more of a defensive mindset, I can take my game to the next level.”
An excellent character, supremely composed on the ball and a physical presence in both boxes, Arthur displays excellent potential for the future of Brentford’s backline.