Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta dismisses claims Ben White was left out of England squad due to injury

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta dismisses claims that Ben White was left out of England squad due to injury… as he insists the defender is fit to play Brentford at the weekend and was not chosen for selection reasons alone 

  • Ben White was left out of Gareth Southgate’s England squad this month 
  • There had been some suggestion the £50m signing was out with an injury
  • Mikel Arteta though insists White will be available to play against Brentford 

Mikel Arteta insists Ben White is fit and the defender was left out by England for selection reasons alone.

The 24-year-old was not among Gareth Southgate’s final England squad before the World Cup and there had been suggestions that the £50million signing will miss the upcoming games against Germany and Italy because of injury.

But Arteta dismissed those fears on Friday, saying ahead of their trip to Brentford: ‘He is fit.’

Gareth Southgate (right) left Ben White (left) out of this month’s England camp for the upcoming Nations League matches against European giants Italy and Germany

Mikel Arteta has dismissed the notion that White has not been picked because of an injury

Mikel Arteta has dismissed the notion that White has not been picked because of an injury

The manager then confirmed it was a selection decision.

‘Gareth picks the best squad that he believes is for now. The squad he picked for November is incredible. Anything we can do to help Ben, we are trying to do,’ he added.

‘I think Ben is giving a lot of reasons to be selected. That’s all we can do.’

White was named in the last England squad in May, only to pull out with a hamstring injury.

Arteta has been using the defender at right back this season, rather than in the middle, but the manager rejected the idea that that explains his omission.

White is fit and available to play for the Gunners in their match with Brentford on Sunday

White is fit and available to play for the Gunners in their match with Brentford on Sunday

‘He has played in both positions and he has been selected sometimes and not. I think to have a versatile player to play at that level in both positions of central defender and full back is something that in my opinion any manager wants,’ he said.

‘Especially when you go to a tournament where a lot of things can happen. That’s Gareth’s decision and his coaching staff. Whenever he gets the call, he will be ready.’

Three of Arsenal’s Brazilian contingent – Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Magalhaes, and Gabriel Martinelli – have all been left out of their national team, too.

It means that White was left out for selection reasons alone according to Arsenal boss Arteta

It means that White was left out for selection reasons alone according to Arsenal boss Arteta

And Arteta challenged his players to use omissions as motivation.

‘I haven’t (been given a reason),’ he added. 

‘I will have to convince the players to continue to put their heads down and accept the decision of their coaches to not join their national teams and give them even more reason that it is so evident that they have to be selected.’

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