Arteta's Blunt Assessment After Arsenal's Ben White Faces England Jeers
Mikel Arteta has delivered his verdict after Arsenal defender Ben White received a frosty reception from England supporters during recent international friendlies. The full-back was called up by Three Lions manager Thomas Tuchel for matches against Uruguay and Japan at the end of March, marking his return to the national team after nearly four years away.
White's Controversial England Comeback
Ben White's selection for England's March friendlies signaled the end of his prolonged international absence, which began during the 2022 World Cup following a reported disagreement with assistant coach Steve Holland. The 28-year-old Arsenal star had stepped away from national team duties under previous manager Gareth Southgate, who revealed in 2024 that White had requested not to be considered for the European Championships squad despite being worthy of selection based on his club performances.
However, White's reunion with the England setup did not unfold as hoped. During the match against Uruguay at Wembley Stadium, sections of the home crowd jeered when his name was announced over the public address system and when he entered the pitch. This hostile reception appeared to be a reaction to his extended absence from the national team, despite White having scored in the 1-1 draw against the South American side.
Arteta's Perspective on the Situation
When questioned about the jeering during his pre-match press conference ahead of Arsenal's FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton, Arteta offered a revealing perspective. "The volume was down, so I could not hear that," the Arsenal manager stated bluntly. "I could just see a big smile on his face and the way he came back from the national team and the good things that he was telling everybody about, the group, about the meetings that they had, about Thomas and everybody."
Arteta emphasized that White returned to Arsenal in positive spirits, which he views as crucial for international duty. "So that's great to hear because when you send a player to a national team, you really want to bring back a better player, a player that is happy, a player that is available and fit. And that was certainly Ben's case."
England's Disappointing International Break
The broader context of White's return was England's underwhelming performance during the March international window. Beyond the 1-1 draw with Uruguay where White scored, Thomas Tuchel's side suffered a humiliating 1-0 defeat to Japan in their final fixture before this summer's World Cup. These results have raised questions about England's preparations for the upcoming tournament.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Arteta remains supportive of his players' international commitments. "I think when a player is fit and able to play, he has to play, and I think it makes us so proud that we have that many players in the national team," he explained. "The players are desperate to play with the national team, and we know how important every time that they are together and the time that they spend in preparation means to them. We are fully supportive of that, and when we can do it, we do it."
Arsenal's Injury Concerns Ahead of FA Cup Clash
The international break has created additional challenges for Arsenal, with several players returning with injuries. Arteta confirmed that Piero Hincapie will be sidelined for the FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton due to a knock sustained during Ecuador's friendly against Morocco. Noni Madueke and Eberechi Eze also remain on the treatment table with their own injuries.
On a more positive note, the Spanish manager revealed that both Jurrien Timber and Martin Odegaard are back in contention for the trip to St Mary's Stadium. White himself is expected to play a significant role in the crucial cup tie, which kicks off at 8pm on Saturday evening as Arsenal seek to advance in the competition.
The situation highlights the complex relationship between club and country commitments, with Arteta balancing support for his players' international ambitions with the practical realities of managing their fitness and morale upon return. White's experience at Wembley serves as a reminder of how quickly fan sentiment can turn, even for players performing at the highest level for their clubs.
