Thomas Tuchel has revealed that Ben White was available for selection in his first England squad but was left out as he continues to build match fitness after a prolonged spell on the sidelines.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: Ben White of Arsenal arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between AFC Bournemouth and Arsenal FC at Vitality Stadium on October 19, 2024 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images
The Arsenal defender, who missed 92 days after undergoing knee surgery in November, has only recently returned to first-team action.
He was named on the bench against Leicester on February 15, but did not make his first appearance until he played the final minutes of Arsenal’s defeat by West Ham a week later.
Since then, he has featured in just 101 minutes across four matches, making his first start against PSV Eindhoven in midweek when he played 79 minutes.
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Ben White and Mikel Merino of Arsenal compete for a header with Armando Obispo of PSV Eindhoven during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and PSV at Emirates Stadium on March 12, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images
Tuchel, speaking after naming his squad for England’s World Cup qualifiers against Latvia and Albania, confirmed that White had made himself available but was overlooked as he continues to regain full fitness.
White’s international career has been surrounded by uncertainty since his abrupt exit from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Reports at the time suggested a fallout with Steve Holland, then Gareth Southgate’s assistant, over White’s perceived lack of football interest outside of his own job.
The rift deepened in March 2024, when White declined a call-up for friendlies against Belgium and Brazil, citing “personal reasons”, later revealed to be a refusal to work under Southgate and Holland.
DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 26: Ben White of England looks on during the England Training Session at Al Wakrah Stadium on November 26, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images
Despite the tension, Tuchel confirmed that White is now open to returning to the England setup. He “would love to be back in the squad,” Tuchel said, while explaining his decision to leave the Arsenal man out this time around.
Mikel Arteta also defended White’s previous withdrawal from international duty, describing it as an act of courage rather than avoidance. “I was very involved in the moment that happened and I know how Ben felt,” Arteta said.
“It certainly wasn’t about that [not wanting to play for England]. It was about being the opposite, just facing the situation and saying: ‘I cannot handle it now and I am not the best person to represent the country the way I feel right now.’
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Ben White of Arsenal interacts with Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal during The FA Community Shield match between Manchester City against Arsenal at Wembley Stadium on August 06, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images
“I think not a lot of people would do it. What a lot of people would do is hide in that context, in that environment, and let time go and nobody talks about it. What he did in my opinion was very brave and not a lot of people would have done it.”
With White now on the way to regaining full fitness, his return to the national team setup under Tuchel seems a matter of when, not if.
His performances for Arsenal in the coming weeks, including in their Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, will likely determine his place in England’s plans moving forward.
There is no doubt that Arsenal have missed White. The same can certainly be said for England, too.
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