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5 months ago
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Patrick Vieira's response to Ben White's admission that he doesn't watch football from three years ago has resurfaced on social media.
White, 26, has developed into an integral part of Arsenal's team since his £50million move from Brighton in 2021.
While White has impressed with his performances on the pitch, his lack of interest in football off the pitch has always caused suspicion among fans.
'I didn't ever watch football when I was younger and still don't now,' he revealed back in 2021.
White wears the No 4 shirt, the same number Gunners icon Viera used to don and when pressed on that and his memories of the Frenchman, the Brighton academy product had said: 'I just love the game.
Patrick Vieira's response to Ben White's admission he doesn't watch football has resurfaced
White (right) previously revealed he loves playing the game, but will never watch the sport
'I was always playing it, never watching it so I don't know too much about the older generation.
'I know he was a very good player, but yeah I wouldn't know the details.'
Vieira, who was Crystal Palace manager at the time of the comments, revealed he was surprised by White's words and claimed it was important players watched the sport in their spare time.
'It matters,' he said. 'Watching games shows the passion and love you have. Thierry [Henry] would watch any kind of game in any league in any country.
'He knew everything about the game. I played with Cesc Fabregas and the Spanish players watched games every day.
'It’s a different culture here in England – not better, not worse. But in France or Spain players watch football – also Italy where I played as well.'
Meanwhile, despite his strong performances for Arsenal, White won't be a part of England's Euro 2024 squad this summer.
The defender won the last of his four England caps in March 2022 and famously left the Three Lions' World Cup camp early due to 'personal reasons'.
Vieira was surprised by White's words and said it was important players watched the sport
White remains in self-imposed England exile after a fall-out with assistant boss Steve Holland
It was later reported that this came following a falling-out with England assistant boss Steve Holland.
White has not made a squad since and Gareth Southgate said back in March that the defender 'did not want to be considered' for England's friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
White was absent again when Southgate named his provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024, and the England boss defended his decision as he simply said : 'As far as I’m aware, he’s not available to us.'
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