Ray Parlour ‘surprised’ by what ‘really top-class’ Arsenal star has just done

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal hero Ray Parlour has admitted that Ben White ‘surprised’ him after turning down Gareth Southgate’s offer of a call up for England’s March international games.

The Three Lions will host Brazil and Belgium in two friendlies at Wembley later this month as Southgate plans for Euro 2024. But Arsenal sporting director Edu informed the England boss before naming their team this Thursday that White did not want to be available for selection.

Edu told England’s technical director John McDermott that White has chosen to take himself out of consideration ‘at this time’. The 26-year-old would likely have made Southgate’s team had he welcomed a return to international action, having been a consistent star this season.

Ben White rejected Gareth Southgate’s England call-up

White has been one of Arsenal’s most reliable players at both ends of the pitch under Mikel Arteta this term. The Gunners also awarded the Poole native a new contract on Thursday to tie White up until, at least, 2028. But he has not represented England since December 2022.

Southgate last named White in an England squad for the 2022 World Cup. But he left Qatar after being an unused substitute for their first two group stage fixtures against Iran and the USA. The Three Lions went on to reach the quarter-finals, with Bukayo Saka a key talisman.

Ben White’s international decision ‘surprised’ Ray Parlour

England call-ups have since passed White by on five occasions, before the Arsenal defender also rejected Southgate’s interest in March. The four-cap international’s decision ‘surprised’ Highbury hero Parlour, though. The Romford Pele also says White will likely reject his choice.

“It’s a strange one because playing for your country is one of your proudest moments,” said Parlour on talkSPORT (15/3, 18:26): “It’s great playing for your club and being successful for your club.

“But to put on that England shirt, you know you are one of the best players in your country. So, [I am] surprised. But in this day and age, players make these big decisions.

“Will he regret it? Probably, if I am being honest, because when you finish your career, very proud to say I would have loved to get more caps for England. But I didn’t and, you know, he is [a] really, really top-class player. He has been brilliant for Arsenal.”

White has featured in 39 of Arsenal’s 40 fixtures across all competitions so far this term. The defender has also offered two goals and four assists – all coming over his 27 Premier League outings. Arteta was only without White against Burnley in November due to his minor injury.