‘Why would you not?’… Paul Merson really disappointed with 26-year-old Arsenal player

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Arsenal defender Ben White has been hitting the headlines in recent days.

England head coach Gareth Southgate said on Thursday that Arsenal defender Ben White does not play for the Three Lions.

The 26-year-old, who is a central defender by trade but has been playing as a right-back, left the England squad early when they were at the 2022 Qatar World Cup finals.

Former Arsenal and England international star Paul Merson has now given his take on White’s decision.

The Sky Sports pundit is disappointed that White does not want to play for England.

Paul Merson comments on Arsenal defender Ben White’s England decision

Merson said about White on Sky Sports News (12:42 pm, March 16, 2024): “It’s his life, it’s his life, but this is what we play football for. This is what we play football for.

“We play football to go to tournaments, to have that opportunity to play in a World Cup or the Euros, and England have got big chances of winning, you know, why would you not want to? And the problem is when Gareth goes, the next manager will be the same.

“I did it, yeah, but I was 30 year odd years of age and all the younger ones were coming through, so I retired, but not him. One of the creme de la creme teams, playing for them, Champions League, he is playing at the top of the league, everything is going great, don’t close that opportunity.”

My View: Ben White should reconsider his England stance

In my opinion, Arsenal defender Ben White should consider playing for England again.

I appreciate that White will have his reasons for not playing for the Three Lions at the moment, but he is only 26 now. He is still very young and could become a big player for England in the coming years.

Although White is playing well, he is not guaranteed a place in the England starting lineup. He will have to earn his place in the starting lineup, but I think that he has the quality to do so.

White has made 133 appearances in the Premier League so far in his career. The English defender has scored four goals, given nine assists and kept 39 clean sheets in those games.

The former Leeds United loanee has made 39 appearances for Arsenal this season. He has scored two goals and given four assists in those games.