A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Declan Rice discusses Ben White’s England exile and coach Mikel Arteta is sent a big injury fear about star forward Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal ace Declan Rice wants ‘unique’ Ben White to play for England again
Arsenal midfielder Rice feels Arteta has a ‘really unique’ defender in White, who he wants to reconsider playing for England. The full-back made himself unavailable for Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate in March. He has not been in an England squad since the 2022 World Cup.
Rice is adamant that White would offer England a lot at Euro 2024 if the 26-year-old were to reconsider his international exile, though. The midfielder really admires what White offers at Emirates Stadium after playing with him 38 times this term and against him six times before.
So, Rice intends to discuss representing England again with White upon returning to London Colney after the March break. He hopes to change the full-back’s mind about playing under Southgate as what makes White so ‘unique’ at Arsenal can be key for England at Euro 2024.
“I think the biggest thing is it’s Ben’s life [and] it’s Ben’s decision,” Rice said, via the Mirror. “Obviously, people are going to have opinions, people are going to write stuff about it. But, ultimately, he’s content with his decision… All I can say is that I would love him to be here.
“Playing against him and now playing with him, seeing how he is, he is very quiet [and he] keeps himself to himself. But when he’s on the pitch, he’d do anything for his team to win. I think he’s a really unique player because he can play three positions.
“In tournaments, that’s so key. He can play centre-back, he can play right-back [and] he can play inverted full-back. So, when I get back, I can have a conversation with him and see the ins and outs, and see what he thinks [as] I would love him to come.
“I think Bukayo would [and] I think Aaron Ramsdale would. I think we’re all going to be on him when we get back to say [that]. Hopefully, he can change his mind.”
Read more about what Rice has had to say about Arsenal teammate White, here.
Bob Wilson admits the Arsenal legend has a big Bukayo Saka injury fear
Arsenal legend Bob Wilson fears Saka may have to retire when he is only 25 years old due to injury. The iconic goalkeeper admits he worries whenever Saka is kicked or fouled as the 22-year-old is often battered by defenders, who simply run out of ideas about how to stop him.
Saka only ranks eighth in the Premier League so far this term for winning fouls, according to SofaScore. Referees have stopped play 50 times across the forward’s 27 appearances so far. But the Hale End icon is often abused by opponents without officials deeming it to be a foul.
Now, Wilson admits he fears how much longer Saka may last given the treatment opponents give him. Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has drawn the most fouls so far this term with 82. Kai Havertz has drawn the second-most fouls at Arsenal with 33 in 27 outings.
Wilson told The Telegraph: “What drives me demented is we have one of the best young players and, if we aren’t careful, football will lose him by the time he is 24 or 25 because Bukayo Saka will have been kicked out of the game.”
Read more about what Arsenal legend Wilson has had to say about Saka, here.
William Saliba does things France boss Didier Deschamps ‘does not like’
France boss Didier Deschamps has admitted that Arsenal star William Saliba does things he ‘does not like’. The tactician claims it is because of the 23-year-old’s playing style that he will overlook him. But by overlooking him, Saliba can be too keen to prove himself for Les Bleus.
Saliba is one of the most important players at Arsenal as the centre-back is a part of Arteta’s foundations. His tranquil presence, pace and guile at the back gives the rest of the Gunners’ XI confidence. Yet Saliba has often remained a bit-part player for Deschamps with France.
Deschamps praises Saliba for how the Bondy-born brute is performing for Arsenal to help to a Premier League title bid. He has started in all 28 of the Gunners’ games so far. But his form in north London has not convinced Deschamps to turn away from his more trusted players.
“He is having a good season but he also does things that I don’t like so much,” Deschamps said, via the Mirror. “For France, he has limited game time. But when he plays, that hasn’t necessarily gone well.
“The hierarchy doesn’t favour him at the moment but he is here. Dayot Upamecano has had game time and perhaps William has had less. With certain players, I make sure to persevere because it can be confidence or little blockages that can shift.
“Some don’t have any concerns, some need game time. William has had less game time, so that doesn’t allow him to be very calm.”
Read more about what France boss Deschamps has had to say about Saliba, here.