Is Ben White Ready to Reclaim His England Spot?

In a significant turn of events for both Arsenal and England, defender Ben White has announced his readiness to return to the national team after a prolonged absence. Following reports of a rift with former England assistant coach Steve Holland and a challenging injury period, the 27-year-old’s return is timely, as new head coach Thomas Tuchel looks to shape his squad ahead of upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

White’s last appearance for the Three Lions came during the 2022 World Cup, after which he left the camp citing personal reasons. It was suggested that a falling out with Holland was a contributing factor. Now, with an amicable relationship established with Tuchel, White has expressed his determination to don the England jersey once more. Speaking candidly, he stated: "I'm definitely available. I spoke to him [Tuchel] a few times and he's such a nice, nice man, very honest. Obviously, I haven't been back for too long so it’s just about playing now and hopefully making my way back in."

White’s journey back has not been without its hurdles; a knee injury kept him sidelined from November to March, severely limiting his appearances for Arsenal. With just 24 games under his belt this season, White has highlighted the difficulty of coping with injury, admitting, "I've never really been injured before. I didn’t really know how to deal with it as well as I probably could have." His struggles were echoed by teammate Jurrien Timber, who overcame his own lengthy injury layoff to emerge as Arsenal’s starting right-back.

With Timber’s form solidifying his place in the team, White’s competitive spirit shines through as he welcomes the challenge, saying, "Seeing JT come back from an ACL, he's had to play every game and has done so well. It would have been ideal if I could have helped and maybe taken a little bit of stress off him."

As Arsenal prepares for crucial fixtures against Newcastle and Southampton, White realises the importance of getting back to peak performance, not only to help his club finish strong in the Premier League but also to solidify his position in the England squad for the qualifiers against Andorra and Senegal this June.

In conclusion, the potential return of Ben White to the England squad heralds not just his revival but also signifies a shift in the team's dynamics under Tuchel. As fans eagerly await Tuchel’s squad announcement, the question lingers: can White reclaim his position and contribute to England’s aspirations on the international stage? What impact will this have on Arsenal's pursuit of success as they aim to secure a top finish in the league? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

• Arsenal
• Ben White
• England