UEFA Nations League

Mikel Arteta questions Ben White omission from England squad

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 16 September 2022

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta questions Gareth Southgate's decision to leave versatile defender Ben White out of the latest England squad.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta believes that "any manager" would welcome Ben White into their squad after the defender was snubbed for an England call-up.

White has been a consistent fixture of the Arsenal backline so far this season and has been shifted to a right-back role to accommodate the return of William Saliba.

The 24-year-old has kept Takehiro Tomiyasu out of the starting lineup in the Premier League, but Gareth Southgate opted for other defensive options for September's Nations League clashes with Italy and Germany.

Kyle Walker, Reece James, Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all preferred at right-back, while Harry Maguire, Conor Coady, Eric Dier and John Stones are ahead of White in the centre-back ranks, with the Arsenal man seemingly fighting an uphill battle to force his way into the World Cup squad.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Brentford, Arteta believed that White's versatility would have made him an attractive option for Southgate, saying: "I think to have versatile players to play at the level that Ben can, in both positions, in my opinion it's something that any manager wants.

Mikel Arteta leads Arsenal training on September 7, 2022 © Reuters

"That's Gareth's decision and his coaching staff, but whenever Ben gets the call he will be ready. Gareth picks the best team for now, that doesn't mean that will be the case in November.

"Everything that we can to do help Ben we are trying to do, and I think Ben is giving a lot of reasons to be selected. That's all we can do."

Reports had claimed that White had been left out of the Three Lions squad due to a hip and knee injury, but Arteta denied that the ex-Brighton & Hove Albion man was struggling for fitness.

However, the Ukrainian FA have announced that Oleksandr Zinchenko has suffered a muscular problem and would be sidelined for two weeks, ruling him out of the Brentford game and the international break.

When pressed for an injury update, Arteta remained tight-lipped, saying: "Unfortunately the update will be tomorrow when we have the last training session, today there is not much to give."

Oleksandr Zinchenko in action for Arsenal on August 20, 2022 © Reuters

Mohamed Elneny and Reiss Nelson are definite absentees for the clash with Brentford, and it remains to be seen if Thomas Partey, Cedric Soares and Emile Smith Rowe will be available.

"It's been an ongoing issue that he's had, he's had some discomfort in the groin area," Arteta explained when giving an update on Smith Rowe's condition.

"It's something that we are trying to assess and trying to help him as much as possible in any way that we can. We need him fit and available, he's such an important player for us."

Prior to his press conference, Arteta was named the Premier League's Manager of the Month for August after steering the Gunners to a perfect month of five Premier League wins from five.

"It's a reflection of everything. It's about being consistent and trying to get all the right decisions every single day. It's great, it's a sign that the team is performing well," Arteta added.

Arsenal will end the weekend at the top of the Premier League table if they overcome Brentford on Sunday, with the game moved from a 2pm kickoff to 12pm due to security concerns ahead of Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral.