Ben White has stood up to be counted in recent weeks and played a key role in helping Arsenal top the Premier League and reach the Champions League final.
White has had to play second fiddle for much of the season behind Jurrien Timber but has produced when needed recently to help the team.
In doing so, White has also found himself back in the England squad. Thomas Tuchel is a fan of White, with the Arsenal man’s ability to play across the back four appealing.
Of course, there’s still no place for Trent Alexander-Arnold with England. And according to Wayne Rooney, it makes absolutely no sense.
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Wayne Rooney cannot understand why Ben White is picked over Trent Alexander-Arnold
There is definitely something going on between Trent and Tuchel that isn’t being mentioned.
He is simply being ignored for players who, let’s be honest, are not even in his league.
Indeed, according to Rooney, the fact that Ben White is getting the nod over Trent is something he can’t quite get his head around.
“For Trent not to be in that squad. For Ben White to be playing, I have no disrespect to Ben White. I think he’s a really good player,” Rooney commented on his Wayne Rooney podcast.
“But for him to be in the squad and play ahead of Trent, I just…I don’t get it.”
Ben White might have done enough to stay at Arsenal
There has been so much rumour around Ben White and if he’ll stay at Arsenal that at certain times this season it’s seemed he’s 100% on his way out.
However, the way he has stepped up in recent weeks shows how good a player he is for the Gunners and it might well change the club’s mind.
Yes, there is always the idea of improving the squad but let’s not forget, Arsenal paid £50m for White and he’s never really let the team down.
His performances in recent weeks – especially in Europe – have been of a defender who is more than adept at playing at the very highest of levels.
Arsenal’s recruitment team may indeed already have their plans set in place. But in the here and now, White has certainly given them food for thought if indeed they were thinking of moving him on.
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