Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta Praises Ben White’s Brave Decision to Step Away from England Duty

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The Arsenal defender is back in contention for the England national team, having not played since late 2022.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has come forward to defend Ben White’s decision to make himself unavailable for England selection during Gareth Southgate’s tenure. Arteta described White’s choice as “very brave,” shedding light on the reasons behind the Arsenal defender’s absence from the national team.

White, who last played for England in March 2022, withdrew from the squad during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, citing personal reasons. Reports suggested a possible disagreement with then-assistant coach Steve Holland, but Arteta clarified that White’s decision was rooted in his struggles within the national team setup.

Arteta emphasized that White’s actions were not about turning his back on his country but rather about acknowledging his limitations at the time. “It was about facing the situation and saying, ‘I cannot handle it now, and I am not the best person to represent the country the way I feel right now,'” Arteta explained. He praised White for his honesty and courage, noting that many players might have chosen to remain silent and let time pass instead.

The Arsenal manager’s comments come as White begins to regain his form following a knee injury that sidelined him for several months. While new England manager Thomas Tuchel has left White out of his initial squad, he has expressed openness to White’s return in the future.