Mikel Arteta insists Ben White as the ability to play for England (Picture: Hayters TV)
Mikel Arteta is adamant Ben White has the ability to play for England amid Gareth Southgate’s decision to freeze the versatile defender out of his squad.
The former Brighton star has been a mainstay of Arsenal’s success over the last two years and has made the right-back spot his own having started his Gunners career in central defence.
White was part of the England squad which reached the final of Euro 2020 and was again part of the party which was selected for the World Cup in Qatar last year.
The 26-year-old, however, left the tournament prematurely, officially for personal reasons but reports claimed he had fallen out with Southgate’s assistant Steve Holland.
Despite his versatility and continued excellence for his club, White looks unlikely to be part of Southgate’s plans for next summer’s European Championships.
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‘That’s not something for me to get involved in,’ said Arteta when asked if would press White’s claims to be recalled.
‘Does he have the ability? Yes! Then it’s a conversation for them to have.
‘What I want is a player feels happy and they represent their club and their country in the best possible way.’
‘I think he’s progressed in the right way in the last few years,’ Arteta added when it was pointed out White was set to make his 100th appearance for the club at Newcastle today.
‘He had a little bit of a difficult start, which is normal because it was a big jump with different expectations. He started to play as well in certain different positions, but I think he’s shown a lot of determination and courage to overcome that.
‘I think he has a big personality, I think he copes with pressure really well, he has a lot of quality, he gives us different positions and he’s been a key player for us.’
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