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What Arsenal sources are now saying about Ben White after England snub
Ben White hit the headlines on Thursday after Gareth Southgate revealed that the Arsenal defender requested not to be selected for England.
Ahead of the squad announcement, Arsenal released a video announcing a new contract for the £50m man, in which his teammates shared what they love most about him.
Many believed the timing of that particular announcement from Arsenal was deliberate – to ease the media spotlight on Ben White – and sources from the Emirates Stadium have now provided a response…
What Arsenal sources are now saying about Ben White
Well, Arsenal sources insist that the video for White was long intended to go out on Thursday, and had nothing to do with the fact Southgate would reveal his England snub just hours later – according to the .
It was not tactically done to soften the blow, with many England fans calling into radio stations after the squad announcement to criticise the 26-year-old’s rejection of his country.
Arsenal also felt it would be best for White’s teammates to speak in the contract announcement, given the fact he is a person of few words – Gabriel Martinelli used the word “warrior” to describe the man from Poole.
An explanation is needed
While White is more than entitled to do what he wants with his career, we would now expect him to be roundly booed by opposition fans for rejecting England.
That could distract the Arsenal No.4 during the Premier League title race, so perhaps the response will be less negative if he comes out and explains why he no longer wants to play for England – especially after sounding so ecstatic to have done so following his Three Lions debut in 2021.
Hopefully, we receive some context on this strange situation at some point – also because it would be a real shame to embark on UEFA EURO 2024 without a player of White’s quality in the squad.