International boss set for talks with Arsenal star – Mikel Arteta will be hoping for one outcome

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Mikel Arteta already has to contend with a number of his Arsenal stars playing international football.

Earlier this season, Martin Odegaard picked up an injury on international duty with Norway, which saw him miss several crucial Arsenal games. 

Odegaard is far from the only Arsenal star to have picked up a fitness issue whilst representing his country either, which makes Mikel Arteta’s job all the more difficult. 

On top of the risk of injury, there is also the fact that top level football already demands a gruelling schedule at club level, with games coming thick and fast for the Gunners. Players are under a huge amount of physical strain and fatigue even before international obligations are throw into the mix.

As such, it was no surprise when the North London club throw their support behind Ben White when he decided to turn his back on playing for England. 

• READ MORE: Everything to know on Arsenal’s Ben White from his wife to tattoos

Thomas Tuchel to approach Ben White over England return

With Thomas Tuchel now in charge of the Three Lions, though, there is an opportunity for the Arsenal right-back to come back into the fold for his country. 

As reported by The Times, Tuchel is planning to have talks with White, and hopes to lure the defender back into the world of international football with the offer of a clean slate and fresh start. 

Certainly, the 27-year-old is good enough to play for his country, and could help to address something of a problem position for England.

Arsenal won’t really want White back on international stage

Regardless of what he may say on the matter in public, Arteta is likely privately hoping that White will choose to maintain his international exile.

White is currently sidelined having undergone surgery. The procedure was required to belatedly address a problem that he carried all throughout last season. 

Arsenal teammates have called White a “warrior” due to his ability to play through injury, but as his career goes on, the full-back will find this increasingly difficult to do. 

When he returns to action, Arteta will consciously need to manage his minutes more carefully than he has done in the past, and having him be able to take proper rests during international breaks will certainly make that easier.