Thomas Tuchel Provides Positive Update on Ben White After Talks with the Arsenal Defender

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The Arsenal defender has been omitted from the squad for the upcoming matches against Albania and Latvia this month, but a return could be imminent.

England’s national football team manager, Thomas Tuchel, has provided a positive update regarding Arsenal defender Ben White’s potential return to the England squad. This comes after Tuchel held talks with White, who had previously made himself unavailable for national team selection.

Ben White, who has not featured for the England team since the 2022 World Cup, had withdrawn from the squad for personal reasons and was reported to have had a disagreement with then-assistant coach Steve Holland. However, Tuchel has confirmed that White is eager to return to the international fold and has been working hard to regain his fitness after undergoing knee surgery in November.

Tuchel expressed his delight at White’s progress, stating, “I’m delighted that he’s back, he’s back now in back-to-back trainings, so we were monitoring the process. Huge compliments to the medical and performance department of the FA, and thanks to everyone at Arsenal for letting us monitor closely”. The England manager emphasized that White’s absence from the current squad is not due to any refusal on the player’s part but rather a matter of timing and ensuring he is fully fit before making his return.

The Arsenal defender’s versatility, being able to play both as a right-back and a central defender, makes him a valuable asset for the national team. Tuchel acknowledged this, saying, “He has every chance to be back, and he wants to be back, and is glad to be back”. The manager’s positive update has been well-received by fans and pundits alike, who are eager to see White don the England jersey once again.