Arsenal right-back Ben White is set to return to the England squad for the first time in over three years.
Having dealt with recurring injury issues this season, Ben White has recently been thrown back into the action in the absence of Jurrien Timber.
The 28-year-old started in Arsenal’s 2-0 second-leg win over Bayer Leverkusen, before playing 82 minutes of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final loss.
Despite enduring a frustrating last 18 months at Arsenal, White’s resilience in the face of adversity has finally been rewarded.
Tuchel makes bold decision to give White a long-awaited England return
Amid a growing list of fitness concerns, England boss Thomas Tuchel handed Ben White his first international call-up since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The Arsenal right-back will replace Jarell Quansah in the squad, who has withdrawn due to injury.
Owing to personal reasons, White left the England camp during the previous World Cup and informed Gareth Southgate in 2024 that he did not want to be considered for a call-up at that time.
However, since the arrival of Tuchel in the England dugout, the landscape has shifted. White expressed a desire to return to the international stage last year, which now looks set to materialise.
Should White be given minutes against Uruguay on Friday evening, it will mark his first cap since appearing in England’s 3-0 win over the Ivory Coast in March 2022.
The decision to include White may raise some controversy, as Real Madrid’s Trent Alexander-Arnold has been snubbed once again.
Ben White: a highly versatile, technically assured asset for club and country
Having been a crucial part of Arsenal’s journey with Mikel Arteta, it is no secret that Ben White brings a level of technical ability and attacking intent that is sorely missed in his absence.
Capable of inverting or pushing on as an overlapping fullback, White provides unpredictability and assurance in possession for Mikel Arteta.
Both Timber and White are excellent fullbacks in their own right. The former’s defensive prowess has contributed to Arsenal’s solidity this season, whilst White’s ability in possession and understanding in the final third has given the Gunners plenty of joy in recent years.
The familiar triangle of White, Martin Ødegaard and Bukayo Saka was a defining feature of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal between 2022 and 2024. It is something that the Gunners have failed to replicate this season, with each player suffering injuries and struggling to regain their rhythm.
Arsenal will need a sharp upturn in form from Saka if they are to continue to compete for the major honours. Having recently signed a huge new deal, the 24-year-old’s dip in performances has often left Arsenal’s attack looking blunt on more than one occasion.
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Similarly, Martin Ødegaard’s struggles this season, either with form or injury, must be put firmly behind him upon his return after the international break. These are players who deserve to play a role in securing potential silverware, having contributed so much when Arsenal have narrowly missed out in the past.