Arsenal’s Ben White has missed out on Gareth Southgate’s England squad, with Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale called up.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Ben White of Arsenal celebrates after scoring to make it 2-2 during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on March 04, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Ben White of Arsenal celebrates after scoring to make it 2-2 during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and AFC Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium on March 04, 2023. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

The Mirror reported on Wednesday that Ben White was set to miss out on Gareth Southgate’s squad for the March international break, after returning early from the World Cup in the winter.

The official squad announcement has now confirmed this report, with Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale included, but White left out.

Assessing White’s international future after World Cup departure

The reasons for White’s early return from Qatar were never made clear, but it certainly seems noteworthy that he hasn’t returned to the squad at the first opportunity this month.

After all, White has been one of the better right-backs in the Premier League this season, helping Arsenal to lead the division throughout most of the season.

Arsenal duo Saka and Ramsdale key players for Southgate’s side

Ramsdale has still only made three appearances for England, but he’s almost always involved with the squad, and his league-leading 12 clean sheets make him an easy pick this time around.

As for Saka, he should be a starter for Southgate’s side, after proving himself one of the best right-wingers in the world this season.

The 21-year-old has 20 goal contributions for Arsenal, and he scored three goals in four games at the World Cup, as well as winning a penalty in the quarter-final.

England's forward #17 Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between England and Senegal at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on December 4, 2022.(Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
England’s forward #17 Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between England and Senegal at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on December 4, 2022. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Rest and Recovery: Silver lining for White amid England snub

From an Arsenal point of view, it’s good that at least one of the England internationals will get a rest over the break.

Saka is unlikely to get much time off between now and the end of the season, and he’s already said his plan for the summer is to lock himself in his room and sleep.

But at least White can get some rest next week.

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