By ISAAN KHAN

Published: 18:17, 28 October 2025 | Updated: 18:17, 28 October 2025

When Gareth Southgate revealed in March last year that Ben White had made himself unavailable for England selection, most people were perplexed.

How could one of the nation’s most dependable defenders turn down such an honour?

White had not featured for his country since leaving England’s World Cup squad in Qatar in November 2022 for ‘personal reasons’ — a high-profile exit said to be influenced by a disagreement with Southgate's assistant Steve Holland.

Now, nearly 18 months on from White's snubbing of England, the dynamic has flipped. The right back, once a guaranteed starter at Arsenal, has become a peripheral figure, fighting to regain form and fitness after knee surgery and watching others take his place for both club and country.

The 28-year-old has started just one of the Gunners’ nine league matches this season. His struggles were most visible during their Champions League tie against Olympiacos earlier this month — a subdued 58-minute display that lacked the assertive runs, crisp overlaps, and composure that once defined his...