Jeff Stelling blasts Arsenal’s Ben White for his latest actions after England snub

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Arsenal defender Ben White caused a stir recently when he decided to snub the chance to play for England.

Gareth Southgate revealed the news last week ahead of England’s friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.

Well, on Saturday, whilst England suffered a 1-0 defeat to Brazil, with many Arsenal players absent through injury or their own call, Ben White himself decided to jet off to Dubai.

Ahead of a gruelling fixture list for the Gunners, including a crucial Premier League title showdown against Manchester City, the 26-year-old is resting up and why shouldn’t he?!

But Jeff Stelling let rip at the Arsenal player on Monday for posting snaps of himself in Dubai, playing cards, whilst his national teammates were losing to Brazil ahead of Euro 2024, as he told talkSPORT (25/03/24 at 6:30 am)

The former Sky Sports presenter questioned ‘what are you doing?’ as feels he shouldn’t have posted those snaps on social media.

At the end of the day, the call has been made, Ben White doesn’t want to represent England, at this moment in time, but others clearly feel a different way about it all.

Ben White during the international break

“Arsenal defender Ben White has jetted off to Dubai,” said Stelling. “He decided he didn’t want to play for England in the games against Brazil and Belgium.

“He has been enjoying his time there by the looks of it, whilst his England teammates suffered a 1-0 defeat to Brazil, Ben was enjoying a game of UNO and soaking up the sun on a beach in Dubai.

“I have a bit of sympathy for people who play cards, but not Ben. What are you doing? What are you doing posting the fact that you are in Dubai playing cards? You decided not to play for England, that’s fine. Your prerogative, just let the boys get on with it.”

Ben White can make his own decisions

In truth, what White does during his time off shouldn’t be criticised.

He has made the call to not play for England, judge him however you want on that because many England fans won’t be happy.

But, at the end of the day, you can’t make such calls without knowing the full story.

Many will point towards Gareth Southgate, who couldn’t even provide a proper answer himself.

But with White not playing international football, it means he is allowed to rest further and it just allows Mikel Arteta to have more players fresh for the final run-in.