England manager Gareth Southgate has revealed that Arsenal right-back Ben White asked to be left out of the latest Three Lions squad.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Southgate announced a 23-man squad for the upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium but the full-back was surprisingly absent from the list, given his recent stellar efforts with the Gunners. However, Southgate has revealed that Arsenal sporting director Edu contacted him to inform him that White does not want to be included for the time being.
WHAT SOUTHGATE SAID
“Clearly on form I can’t sit here and say he doesn’t deserve to be in. We had a call from Edu last week [and he] said Ben didn’t want to be considered for England squads at this time,” Southgate told reporters on Tuesday.
“For me that is a great shame. He is a player we took to the Euros, a player we took to the World Cup and I spoke to him post-Qatar because I wanted to pick him. He is not available to us and there is no issue between us at all and I also should say there is never any issue with [coach] Steve Holland because that has been mentioned in articles and I don’t like that. I want that door wide open. He would be in this squad but he’s not available to us and I have to focus on who can help us.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
White’s desire to be left out of the team leaves Southgate with even fewer options on the right side of the defence, with Kieran Trippier, Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold already out injured. Kyle Walker is the only natural right-back in the current squad, though Joe Gomez has played that role for Liverpool.
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WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?
Southgate’s side will host Brazil at Wembley on March 23, followed by another home game against Belgium three days later. White, meanwhile, will start preparing for Arsenal’s headline clash against Manchester City in the Premier League on March 31.
