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Jamie O’Hara not happy with what £150k-a-week Arsenal star has done
The September international break is finally a memory and Arsenal can get back to business in arguably the biggest fixture in their calendar.
The North London derby awaits the Gunners on Sunday, with a trip to Tottenham Hotspur on the cards.
Admittedly, Arsenal haven’t had the best international break, with several key players either doubts or unavailable for the Spurs game.
Now, one Gunners player who didn’t even take part in international action has found himself under scrutiny once again.
Jamie O’Hara has taken aim at the Arsenal player for a decision he made two years ago that continues to be in place to this day.
Jamie O’Hara slates Arsenal star Ben White
The player in question is Ben White, who turned down the opportunity to play for England this month.
The Arsenal defender has not been selected for a Three Lions squad since leaving the 2022 World Cup camp midway through the tournament due to personal reasons.
England interim manager Lee Carsley recently told reporters, per the : “I’ve not planned to [speak to White], no.
“We spoke about this in the squad selection. Every player that’s eligible to play for England is in with a chance. As far as I’m aware, he has asked to be not contacted.”
Franck Leboeuf recently criticised White for his decision and now former O’Hara has become the latest to take aim at the £50million Arsenal man.
The former Tottenham and England Under-21 player said on (10/09/24 at 11:15 pm): “He doesn’t want to play for England, who cares.
“You don’t want to represent your nation, then fine. No problem. But don’t expect any respect from anyone.
“He doesn’t want to play for his country. I respect it (his decision not to play for England). I don’t respect him. He is entitled to do what he wants, but I don’t respect him.
“How can you now want to play for your country? It’s the highest pinnacle of your career.
“If you love the game and you love football, everything about it is – ‘can I play for England?’ It has been in the past (his ambition to play for England).
“As a footballer, that is part and parcel of your career, being away from your family, as Lee Carsley said, he hardly sees his family, but he understands the glory and satisfaction you get from walking out with your country.
“He plays for Arsenal. Everyone else is on international duty. He is going into an empty training camp or he goes away and has four days with your family. You can do that for 20 years after you retire.
“I don’t respect that he doesn’t want to represent his nation. He is a top football player – it is a big story and a big talking point.”
READ MORE: What Arsenal are now hoping about Martin Odegaard injury ahead of Tottenham clash
How many caps does Ben White have for England?
White has won four caps for England, all in friendlies.
The Arsenal man made his England debut on 2 June 2021, coming off the bench in a 1-0 friendly win over Austria.
White then made his first Three Lions start two days later, playing the full 90 minutes in the 1-0 friendly win over Romania.
The £150,000-a-week ace () went on to get two more caps in March 2022, featuring in the wins against Switzerland and Ivory Coast.
White was on the bench for two games at Euro 2020, against Croatia and Czechia, but didn’t get any game time.
He also wasn’t involved in England’s 2022 World Cup qualification campaign or the ensuing Nations League campaign ahead of the finals in Qatar.
Then, at the 2022 World Cup finals, he was on the bench against Iran and the United States before he returned to England.