For a man who does not crave attention, Ben White had to contend with spending time in the spotlight on Thursday.
White has not played for his country since leaving the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to “personal reasons”, and last week Arsenal’s sporting director, Edu, contacted the FA’s technical director, John McDermott, to inform him the 26-year-old did not want to be called up ahead of this month’s friendlies with Brazil and Belgium.
No one has ever disclosed what happened in Qatar, but Gareth Southgate was quick to stress there was no issue between White and his assistant, Steve Holland, amid reports of a bust-up during the World Cup.
Plenty of people will have their opinions on White, but at Arsenal he is regarded as one of the most professional players in the squad.
As part of a video for his contract announcement, White’s team-mates were asked to describe him and they repeatedly said: “Warrior.”
Ben White left England’s …