Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal can do no wrong at the moment.
Arsenal are at the top of the Premier League table. The Gunners are level on points with second-placed Liverpool and are a point ahead of defending champions Manchester City, who are third.
Mikel Arteta’s side have also progressed to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Arsenal beat FC Porto over two legs in the last 16 and will take on Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich for a place in the semi-finals.
Arsenal have all of their main players firing, and one of them is Ben White. The 26-year-old is a centre-back by trade, but the former Leeds United loanee has been playing at right-back this season.
And, he has been doing well. White has made 39 appearances for Arsenal this season. He has scored two goals and given four assists in those games.
However, White has been hitting the headlines for the wrong reasons for the past two days. England head coach Gareth Southgate said on Thursday that he has been informed that the Arsenal defender does not want to play for the Three Lions.
Stan Collymore gives his verdict on Arsenal defender Ben White’s England decision
White has not been in the England fold since he left the 2022 Qatar World Cup finals early, and former Liverpool and Three Lions striker Stan Collymore has hammered him for his decision.
Collymore wrote in CaughtOffside: “Even though I am incredibly disappointed a player has made this decision, I don’t think it’s a great loss to England. White is having a decent season for Arsenal, but I don’t think he’s good enough anyway.
“Credit where it’s due — he is certainly versatile — he can play at right back, centre-back and even drift into midfield, but there is no way he’s going to get in ahead of Kyle Walker or John Stones, both of whom can also play those roles.
“So for me, thanks but no thanks, Mr White. We know you want to be a nailed-on starter, but you can’t always get exactly what you want, especially at international level and especially in tournament football.
“It’s a squad game, and if you’re lucky enough to get a chance, it’s on you to take it, but he’s refused the opportunity, so in my opinion, he should never be called up again — regardless of who is in charge.”
My View: Arsenal are the winners in Ben White – England situation
In my opinion, Arsenal are the winners in this situation. Ben White making himself unavailable for England can only be good for the Gunners.
Not playing for England would mean fewer games for White. He would be able to rest during international breaks and also have summers off when England are playing.
It would reduce the chances of White picking up injuries.
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