Ben White refused to be called up to the England squad

Gareth Southgate, England coach, reported that the Arsenal defender asked not to be called up for the next international break

Gareth Southgate released, this Thursday, the list of 25 called up for the English team’s friendly matches against Brazil and Belgium. The English coach was unable to count on some players due to injury, however, there was one absence that immediately stood out: Ben White.

The Arsenal defender, as far as we know, is not injured and, given the good season he has had for the gunnersit was expected that he would be among Southgate’s chosen ones.

Asked why he didn’t call up Ben White, the English coach revealed that it was the player’s own choice, who asked not to be called up.

At the press conference where he announced the squad, Southgate gave details about the Arsenal defender’s request: «We received a call from Edu [diretor do Arsenal] last week and he said that Ben [White] I didn’t want to be called up to the England squad at this time. For me it’s a shame. He is a player that we took to the Euros, that we took to the World Cup and I spoke to him after Qatar because I wanted to call him back.”

In fact, Ben White was called up to join the English team at Euro-2020 (which took place in 2021) and the World Cup-2022. However, Arsenal’s versatile defender didn’t play any minutes in these two competitions. Still, Gareth Southgate denies personal problems with White.

«There is no problem between us. I have the door wide open. He would be in this team, but he is not available for us and I have to focus on who can help us”, concluded the English coach.