Arsenal legend Nigel Winterburn has been left stunned at Gareth Southgate’s decision to omit Ben White from his latest England squad.
White, 24, has been one of Mikel Arteta’s standout players thus far this season as Arsenal sit atop the Premier League table after seven games. The defender has started all seven matches, albeit at right-back rather than his usual centre-back position due to the emergence of William Saliba.
But despite White previously receiving regular call-ups to the England squad for the Euros and international friendlies, Three Lions boss Southgate opted to leave him out of his final squad before the World Cup gets underway in November.
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And with England struggling in the centre-back position, iconic Gunners left-back Winterburn has voiced his confusion at the decision following another dismal defeat to Italy.
Winterburn told The Sun: "I am surprised, but I never try to predict what England managers do with players. He [White] was initially in the last squad so if he was in the last England squad, I don't understand why he wouldn't be in this squad.
"Unless Gareth Southgate has left him out because he wants to look at other players. Ben White hasn't made that many appearances for England, so I would think he deserves a look in, so it's a surprising decision to me.
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"Especially when you see some of the players in that squad and the club form they're currently producing.”
England’s 1-0 defeat to Italy at the San Siro meant England were relegated from Nations League A ahead of Monday’s match against Germany. While results at the World Cup will be far more important, England’s run of five games without a win has been anything but ideal preparation for Qatar.
Meanwhile, White is not the only Arsenal star to be snubbed by his national team despite showing stellar form. Brazilians Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Magalhaes also missed out on a call-up from manager Tite.
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