Arsenal defender Ben White has departed the England World Cup squad in Qatar to return home for personal reasons.
White has left the Three Lions training base in Al Wakrah and is not expected to return for the remainder of the tournament. The 25-year-old has yet to feature in any of Gareth Southgate’s side’s three group games.
The Gunners defender has been enjoying a strong domestic campaign for Mikel Arteta’s team, starting all 14 Premier League matches for the North London club this season and playing a key role in their ascendancy at the top of the standings prior to the World Cup break.
White has been capped four times by England at international level but has not featured for Southgate's side since March. He played the full 90 minutes in the victory over Switzerland and was substituted off at half time against the Ivory Coast.
The defender was selected for the World Cup squad largely because of his fine form at club level this campaign but also due to his versatility in defence. Most commonly a central defender, White has excelled at right-back for the Gunners this season.
The return of William Saliba to Arsenal this summer following multiple loan spells in Ligue 1 has seen the France international form a formidable defensive partnership with Gabriel in the heart of Arteta's side's back four, with White moving to the right.
“I didn’t grow up watching football. It wasn’t on in my house. If it was, I’d watch for a bit and then try to copy someone or practice a bit of skill. I was always so active. It’s the same now. I always get asked what I do after football - I don’t really do much but I’m always busy.
“So, sitting down and watching a 90-minute game after I’ve trained all day and have four or five meetings about football…the last thing I want to do is watch more football.
“It’s never been in my life - or my mum and dad’s. My old man Barry is so laid back it’s ridiculous. When I was called up for the squad, he said: ‘Well done.’
“It was like he knew it was going to happen and it wasn’t a surprise for him but my mum Carole is the opposite, so I’ve got the balance between them. But I don’t look too far ahead. I wake up in the morning, look after that day - try to make it the best ever and I don’t think too far ahead.
“I’m not someone who has anything planned in normal life. If I want to go somewhere for dinner on that day, that’s where I’ll go. I didn’t even think about the World Cup until it was close.
“If you’re so concerned about something it normally doesn’t happen if you’re too worried. Things will be what they will be and you deal about it when it comes.”
