Arsenal defender Ben White has made himself unavailable for England (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal legend Lee Dixon has warned Ben White that he may come to regret his decision to snub England, though believes fans should respect the defender’s decision.
White’s omission proved the headline news as Gareth Southgate unveiled his 25-man squad for England’s Euro 2024 warm-up matches against Brazil and Belgium, with the 26-year-old arguably in the form of his life at Arsenal this season.
Southgate went on to explain that White has asked not to be considered for selection through Arsenal’s sporting director Edu, which has drawn major criticism from some quarters.
White has not featured at international level since leaving England’s training camp early at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when rumours swirled of a bust-up with Southgate’s assistant manager Steve Holland.
It appears unlikely the former Brighton and Leeds man will be a part of England’s party for this summer’s European Championships and Dixon feels supporters should accept his decision given the ‘full details’ remain a mystery.
‘He might be sitting there in 15 to 20 years time and going, “Oh, I wish I would have played for England”, but that’s up to him,’ the ex-Arsenal and England full-back told Football FanCast.
‘I’ve gone on record before as saying if he doesn’t play, we don’t know the full reasons and we might never know the full reasons, that’s up to him.
‘If he doesn’t want to play. Okay, fine. Well, thanks for trying. Who’s next? That’s exactly where I sit with it.
Ex-Arsenal star Dixon feels White may regret his decision in the future (Picture: Getty)
Reflecting on his own experience with England, Dixon theorised that White’s decision to make himself unavailable could be a ‘pressure thing’.
‘When I came back to play for England when I was in my late 30s and I got called back by Howard Wilkinson the pressure that I was under then after seven years out was huge,’ Dixon, who was capped 22 times by England, added.
‘I didn’t enjoy it. I played one game and I really didn’t enjoy it.
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‘I was at a time in my career – he’s not at that – he’s a lot younger and it’s different, but I can relate to it if it is a pressure thing.
‘I felt that when I first played for England it’s a different pressure because you want to play and I would always want to play for England, but he doesn’t so fine.
‘There’s the line, thanks a lot, shake his hand and get on with it.’
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