ARSENAL boss Mikel Arteta believed 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.
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Speaking to reporters ahead of tomorrow’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.
“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.