Kevin Campbell has stated that Arsenal’s Ben White could suffer from low confidence as a result of not being selected by England.
Gareth Southgate caused controversy this week when naming his Three Lions squad for upcoming Nations League encounters.
The Arsenal centre-back was omitted from the selection but Harry Maguire of Manchester United, who hasn’t started a Premier League outing since the 4-0 defeat by Brentford on the second week of the campaign, was among those included.
Darren Bent has already slammed the decision to leave out the £50 million Gunners man.
And Campbell has claimed that the former Brighton & Hove Albion defender’s confidence could drop as a result of Southgate’s decision.
He told The Highbury Squad podcast: “Unfortunately for Ben White he find himself the odd man out. We don’t like it. 100 percent we don’t like it. His confidence will be better going with England. That’s great for your confidence but all of a sudden the door’s been shut on him and that could affect his confidence.”
There is an upside to this for Arsenal.
It’s going to be a long season for Mikel Arteta’s side and, unlike last term, this time they’re competing in the Europa League, too.
The Spanish manager will be secretly pleased to have a player of White’s class not go on international duty over the coming weeks because it keeps him fresh for the Gunners.
The depth of Arsenal’s squad hasn’t been properly tested and the longer Arteta keeps his best players fit, it won’t be either.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
