Gareth Southgate now claims Arsenal were aware of Ben White stance ahead of revelation

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England manager Gareth Southgate has caused a storm over Arsenal star Ben White following the latest National Team squad announcement.

White was last in an England squad during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but made a surprise departure during the tournament, and has not been in Southgate’s plans since.

The defender has been one of the best right-backs in the Premier League this season, and on form, he merits a place in the squad. However, there are issues between him and Southgate.

The England coach claimed that White had refused his latest offer of an International call-up, and this has now led to the 26-year-old receiving criticism, as his manager has thrown him under the bus.

Arsenal have defended White throughout this saga, but it has now emerged that they were aware of what Southgate was going to say yesterday.

Arsenal were aware of Gareth Southgate’s Ben White stance

Speaking via the Daily Mail following his revelation over White, Southgate claimed that Arsenal were aware that he was going to speak out over the defender, and lamented the situation he has now put the Arsenal star in.

“In these situations I’ve tried to protect players. Clearly that is impossible at this point,” he stated of White.

“Because the timing… if I didn’t pick him on form (people would ask why). So I don’t think it would be right not to state the situation we’re in. We’ve explained to Arsenal we were going to (announce it).

“If you make a decision like that, you do have to stand by it. But like I say, I want to keep the door open. I don’t want there to be a backlash. But I understand that could happen.”

Gareth Southgate has been unfair to Ben White

White’s departure from the England squad has been widely reported to have been a result of a fallout with Southgate and his assistant Steve Holland.

However, Southgate’s latest comments have been to defend himself and his assistant, whilst opening White up to widespread criticism from fans and media, and he may now receive hostile treatment in some grounds.

In what has been a messy situation between White and the England National Team, Southgate has chosen to protect his own image at the expense of one of his players, and this may now mean that White’s England career is all but over.