Ben White has set his sights on an England recall after completing 200 Arsenal appearances in the 2-0 win over Everton. The right-back, who set up Gabriel Magalhaes’ goal, trained throughout the summer after a serious knee injury and says he is determined to put it behind him. According to Football.london.
White targets England recall after injury setback and summer of training
White’s route to this point began with the knee injury he sustained in May during Arsenal’s 1-0 win at West Ham. The significant MCL problem ruled him out of both the Champions League final and the World Cup. He says he knew at once it would end his season, and he cried briefly on the way round the pitch.
The injury left White tipped for a summer transfer, with Everton among his admirers. Leaving Arsenal was never truly an option for him, and he instead set out to prove a point to manager Mikel Arteta. White said he trained every day through the summer without a real break; the injury can still be felt at times, he added, but all is well now.
White reached 200 Arsenal appearances against Everton, setting up Gabriel Magalhaes’ back-post header in the 2-0 win. He said the milestone had crept up slowly and that he would not want to be anywhere else. Having spent four years in a row at different teams, he called staying this long a really nice feeling.
Arsenal now have both first-choice right-backs, White and Jurrien Timber, available together for the first time in a long while. Both have struggled to stay fit in recent seasons. White said one of them has always been injured, forcing the other to play, but now they can rest as well. “I am sure you will see the best versions of each of us.”
Thomas Tuchel was at the Emirates Stadium to watch the win, and White used the occasion to clarify his stance on international football after missing England’s latest squad with a groin injury. Asked about a November call-up, he said he was definitely eyeing one and called playing for England unlike anything else, adding: “If that does happen, I’ll be absolutely over the moon.”
White was booed on his return to the England team in March, when he scored and conceded a penalty in a 1-1 friendly draw with Uruguay at Wembley Stadium. Even so, he has left no doubt that he wants a place back in the squad, and a display with a clean sheet and an assist in front of Tuchel gives him a timely platform.
