The controversy surrounding Ben White and England is still rumbling on.
Arsenal defender Ben White has not played for England since 2022.
Back in March, White asked to not be considered for England selection.
The 26-year-old right-back faced huge criticism for this decision from many pundits. Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp was one of those to criticise White.
However, the Arsenal man has not been swayed and remains in a self-imposed exile from international football.
Interim England manager Lee Carsley recently stated that White still wants to be kept out of the Three Lions conversation, and has asked to not be contacted by the national team, despite Gareth Southgate and his coaching staff no longer being in charge.
Arsenal fans stand up for Ben White over England decision
Plenty of Arsenal fans have now taken to X to show their support for White and his decision to focus on club football only.
One supporter said: “Another easy dig at Ben White. Leave him alone, he’s made his choices and is as entitled to make choices as much as you or anyone else is.”
Another stated: “I have a lot of respect for Ben White’s authenticity. I think in the Uber macho football environment lots of players are scared into ‘conforming’ and being seen to say and do the right things.
“I’ve a lot of respect for White being honest about having little football heritage in his background (which shouldn’t be a shocking confession but even a guy who rose to the level of being on the England coaching staff couldn’t wrap his head around it) and not seeing international football as the be all and end all.
“I reckon this is probably true of a lot of players who hide it out of fear of being ostracised.”
Another claimed: “He really said don’t contact me the aura is insane.”
One added: “Good. At least one less player to worry about getting injured in a meaningless international.”
Another even said: “Ben White would be doing Carsley and England a favor by playing for them, it’s not his job. Carsley is an idiot to try to put the onus on White.”
Arsenal united behind Ben White
These Arsenal fans have made their feelings clear, and Mikel Arteta will agree with their stance.
The manager will be supportive of the player’s decision, and appreciate the fact that White is not at risk of sustaining any kind of injury whilst on international duty.
White has already shown that he can cope with the attention on his international career without letting it detract from his performances for the Gunners.
Arteta will back the right-back to show England what they are missing against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
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