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8 months ago
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Mikel Arteta has admitted he hopes Ben White will one day represent England again after the Arsenal defender turned down a call-up to Gareth Southgate's squad this month.
England manager Gareth Southgate revealed this month that Arsenal technical director Edu had informed him that the defender did not want to be selected for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium.
White spent the international break on holiday in Dubai before returning to train with his Arsenal team-mates ahead of their key Premier League match with Man City.
Arteta refused to rule out the prospect of White one day returning to the England set up, but the Arsenal boss stressed the decision was the defender's to make.
'I think he has received a lot of love. You just have to see what his teammates and everyone close to him in football says,' Arteta said.
Ben White trained with Arsenal this week after declining a call-up to the England squad
White had also spent time with his wife Milly in Dubai after turning down the call-up
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta expressed hope White may one day return to the England set-up
'I think people have respected.
'Hopefully he can represent his country in the best way possible one day. That’s up to him.'
White caused a stir when he left the England camp midway through the 2022 World Cup campaign in Qatar.
Reports have suggested that the rift was sparked by England assistant Steve Holland questioning White's interest in football while they were out in Qatar.
Southgate's assistant reportedly asked Kyle Walker a question related to Manchester City's performances in the previous season, before posing the same question to White in regards to Arsenal.
White allegedly said he did not know the answer, leading Holland to claim that was down to his lack of interest in football.
The conversation is said to have happened in front of other members of the squad.
White has previously admitted he was never a football fan when he was younger and rarely watches matches to this day.
White's wife Milly shared a picture of the pair playing Uno after jetting off to Dubai on holiday
England boss Gareth Southgate insists the 'door is open' for White to return after dismissing reports a disagreement with Steve Holland, right, was behind the defender's absence
Southgate, who has denied Holland is the reason behind White's decision, has said the door is open for the defender to return after Declan Rice revealed he would speak to his Arsenal team-mate.
'It's really for Ben now to decide,' Southgate said this week
'It's obviously in a difficult situation you're asking him about a team-mate and he's going to be careful what he says.
'As I've said to you, the door is open for us.
'That's clearly difficult ahead of the Euros, where you've got players that have played all the way through but we have no idea of knowing who's going to be available in that area of the pitch.
'I respected the situation as Arsenal have contacted us. So in the end, I know the conversation I had with him last March.
'I felt I should back away from it a little bit. But I've always left the door open. I was keen to bring him in this camp.'
Bukayo Saka is expected to be fit to face Man City despite pulling out of England duty
White is expected to be involved for Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday as the Gunners face Man City in a key match in the Premier League title race.
Arteta confirmed Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel have not trained ahead of the match but have a chance of being involved.
Saka and Gabriel withdraw from international duty with England and Brazil respectively due to injuries, while Martinelli missed Arsenal's last two matches with a foot problem.
Arsenal are one point ahead of the reigning champions heading into the match, with the Gunners topping the Premier League on goal difference from Liverpool.
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