Why Ben White isn’t in the England squad as Arsenal star’s wife posts holiday picture

Ben White is enjoying a relaxing holiday after making himself unavailable for England (Picture: Instagram)

Ben White was enjoying a relaxing holiday with his wife while Gareth Southgate was busy announcing his England squad.

The Three Lions boss confirmed the names of the 26 players who will travel to Germany next week in search of the Three Lions first major tournament triumph since 1966.

Hoping to emulate the Lionesses, who won the women’s European Championships two years ago, Southgate has picked a travelling party with a blend of youth and experience.

While the decision to omit Jack Grealish was met with a measure shock, England’s lack of defensive options represents a far bigger concern in the eyes of most fans.

Harry Maguire, a mainstay of England’s recent success under Southgate, was deemed not fit enough to make the final cut, while there are fitness concerns hanging over the likes of John Stones, Kieran Trippier and Luke Shaw.

Had he been available for selection, White would doubtless have been a shoe-in given the outstanding form he displayed for Arsenal last season, allied to his versatility.

The 26-year-old has developed into an accomplished right-back under Mikel Arteta but was originally signed by the Gunners to play at centre-half where he had excelled for Brighton and Leeds United.

Ben White enjoyed an outstanding season with Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

White, however, hasn’t represented his country since leaving the 2022 World Cup prematurely with, at the time, the Three Lions boss citing ‘personal reasons’ for White’s decision to return to England.

White’s international exile has represented something of an ongoing mystery and he rejected the chance to return to the international fold ahead of England’s friendly against Brazil in March.

Southgate revealed he had spoken with Arsenal’s sporting director Edu, who had informed him that White remained unavailable for selection.

Reports claim that White fell out with Southgate’s assistant, Steve Holland, during the Qatar World Cup and is reluctant to play for England again while he still holds such an influential position.

Ben White was reported to have fallen out with Gareth Southgate’s right-hand man Steve Holland (Picture: Getty)

It is claimed Holland remarked that White is not ‘sufficiently interested’ in football to know the answer.

A few days later, White asked to leave the England camp. There was thought to be no row between White and Holland, either in private or in front of teammates.

The report adds White’s issue with the comments were the public nature of them, viewing it as an issue of respect.

During a recent press conference, Southgate addressed the speculation and mantained that Holland does not have an issue with White.

‘He’s clearly playing very well and has been for a long time,’ Southgate said of White.

‘But he’s not the first player who, at certain times, hasn’t wanted to be available for selection. I’ve always tried to protect those players because I always want the door to be left open, even though on lots of those occasions I’m the one who gets it in the neck for not picking them and people don’t know the reasons.

‘There’s no issue between us and there was never any issue with Steve Holland. That has been mentioned in articles and I don’t like that.

‘People can talk about me and I have to accept that things get said that are false, about me. For whatever reason in this role, you have to stomach that.

‘But I’m not prepared for that to happen to a key member of my coaching team. That is not the reason Ben is not available for selection.’

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