England’s national team manager, Gareth Southgate, has expressed his understanding regarding Ben White, the Arsenal defender, who has opted to make himself unavailable for selection in the upcoming friendlies.
White, currently 26 years old, has been absent from the England squad since the 2022 World Cup. During that tournament, he unexpectedly left the squad in Qatar due to personal reasons, which were accompanied by reports of unhappiness and a disagreement with assistant coach Steve Holland.
Southgate has categorically denied any underlying issues between himself, White, or Steve Holland. He also expressed frustration at the false information circulating about his coaching team.
Despite White’s absence for the Euro 2024 warm-up friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, Southgate emphasized that the “door remains wide open” for White’s potential return.
White’s performances for Arsenal this season have been commendable, featuring 39 appearances across various competitions. His recent four-year contract extension with the club underscores his significance.
Southgate acknowledged that White’s form would have warranted a place in the squad, but unfortunately, his unavailability prevents it. The manager has faced criticism in the past for not selecting players who haven’t made themselves available.
When directly asked whether White is signaling that he won’t play for England while Southgate remains the manager, Southgate candidly admitted that he doesn’t have a definitive answer and hopes that this isn’t the case .
Who Is Ben White?
Benjamin William White, born on October 8, 1997, is an English professional footballer who currently plays as a defender for Premier League club Arsenal. While primarily a right-back, he is also capable of playing as a centre-back. Let’s delve into his career:
- Early Career:
- White began his senior club career at the age of 18 with Brighton & Hove Albion.
- Over the years, he gained experience through loan spells at various clubs:
- Newport County (42 appearances, 1 goal)
- Peterborough United (15 appearances, 1 goal)
- Leeds United (46 appearances, 1 goal)
- His time at Leeds was particularly successful, and he played a key role in their Championship triumph.
- Transfer to Arsenal:
- In 2021, Arsenal secured White’s services in a club-record transfer worth up to £50 million.
- His versatility and defensive prowess have made him an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s side.
- White has featured both as a right-back and a centre-back for the Gunners.
- International Career:
- White made his senior international debut for England in 2021, at the age of 23.
- He was part of England’s squads for the UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
