Mikel Arteta defends 'brave' White for England snub during Southgate reign

Yesterday at 06:30 PM

• Defender has not played for country since 2022
• White now back in frame under Thomas Tuchel

Mikel Arteta has defended Ben White's "brave" decision to make himself unavailable for England under Gareth Southgate and revealed the 27-year-old had been "struggling" with the national team.

The Arsenal defender has not played for his country since leaving England's squad at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar for personal reasons after a rumoured falling-out with the then assistant Steve Holland, but is back in the frame after talks with Thomas Tuchel. The new England manager confirmed White "would love to be back in the squad" despite not being picked for the World Cup qualifiers against Latvia and Albania as he returns from a long spell out after knee surgery in November.