Arsenal man’s situation ‘screams of fall-out’ with Southgate amid England snub – ‘it’s just not right’

Lewis Oldham
Arsenal man snubbed by England

Ben Foster does not agree with Gareth Southgate’s decision to leave Arsenal star Ben White out of his England squad for this month’s international break.

White has been in great form this season for Arsenal. Before this term, he has mostly played as a centre-back but he has come into his own as a right-back under Mikel Arteta.

Despite this, the defender was left out of Southgate’s 25-man squad for England’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine this month.

Southgate has been asked during a press conference why he opted to omit White and Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.

“It’s similar with Ben [White] and Trent [Alexander-Arnold] really, the three boys who are in as right full-backs we’ve got them just ahead of those two,” Southgate told reporters.

“We’re blessed in that position with the depth of talent. It’s the hardest position to pick, albeit it’s never straightforward criteria and it’s always shifting around a little bit on form as well.

“But Kyle [Walker] and Tripps [Trippier] were obviously the ones who played during the World Cup, started the games during the World Cup, have been consistent, and Reece coming back is another top player.

“We’ve love to have that depth in every position on the field.”

White went to the World Cup last year but he was sent home from Qatar after having a reported ‘bust-up’ with coach Steve Holland.

Ex-Premier League goalkeeper Foster thinks this incident impacted Southgate’s decision to leave White out of his squad.

“Something has gone on there for sure,” Foster said via his YouTube channel.

“Every week he is doing it. He’s getting involved in goals. He’s getting involved in assists for fun.

“He’s playing really, really well, Arsenal are on fire and these are the sort of players that when you are naming your England squad, you should be picking these players in form.

“Whatever happened in the World Cup happened… I’ve got no scoop on this. But something [else] has gone on there.

“It’s just not right. [Gareth Southgate is] selecting Harry Maguire and players like that. It just screams of a fall-out.”

Michael Owen reckons White is “underrated” as he is forming an “impressive” partnership with Bukayo Saka.

“That partnership [White and Bukayo Saka] was particularly impressive,” Owen told Premier League Productions. “That combination play is very important for Arsenal.

“Ben White gets forward, he links the play and has the pace to get back when he needs to.

“There was a lovely moment towards the end of the game where he made a tackle and was celebrating. I feel he’s a bit of an underrated player for Arsenal at the moment.”

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