Arsenal defender Ben White, who has 4 caps for England, has controversially refused a call-up to the national team, leading to mixed reactions within the football community. Martin Odegaard and others have lauded White's contributions to Arsenal, especially after his recent contract renewal, underscoring his significance to the club. His refusal is linked to a lack of starts, an altercation with England's assistant coach Steve Holland, and adverse experiences in past tournaments. Gareth Southgate expressed his disappointment but wished to prevent a backlash against White, mentioning the player's request through Edu to not be called up. This incident has sparked debates on club versus country loyalty, with Harry Redknapp vehemently criticizing White's decision as 'disgusting'. Others, however, remember White's emotional response, as he 'cried' after his first England call-up, suggesting a complex relationship with national team duties.
Ben White isn't available for selection... but @martinkeown5 is 😂 @chris_sutton73 says the Arsenal player could look back with regret. #FootballFocus https://t.co/LtJAWQIEVA
"I wouldn't have done it, but you can't hammer him for it" The Soccer Saturday panel debate Ben White's decision not to be available for selection for England ❌ https://t.co/1Y5wI3x3Yv
"I wouldn't have done it, but you can't hammer him for it" The Soccer Saturday panel debate Ben White's decision not to be available for selection for England https://t.co/me81hRuV5O
Harry Redknapp left fuming with Ben White after his refusal to play for England https://t.co/MNLx3KpEH4
Ben White has 4️⃣ caps for England But Harry Redknapp believes he should get no more after turning down his latest call-up ❌ https://t.co/BSogjEdl3k https://t.co/XvB4hE4FJh
Ben White 'cried' after first England call-up as old clip goes viral https://t.co/tRuJmM8U8M
Harry Redknapp tells Gareth Southgate how to deal with Ben White's 'disgusting' decision https://t.co/MNLx3KpEH4
Harry Redknapp slams Ben White's ‘disgusting’ refusal to play for England https://t.co/MNLx3KqcwC
Football Daily | Ben White and a club v country row that has reared its ugly head again https://t.co/wRqGvWCRz7
Ben White's post after England debut goes viral after refusing to be called up https://t.co/5gdavDIJxc
Key question for Gareth Southgate - Does he think Ben White would play for England if Steve Holland wasn’t in the set up? People appear to be rushing to blame White for everything
England’s loss is Arsenal’s gain. I don’t know what’s gone down with @ben6white at international level, but he’s been brilliant for us this season and is beloved by his manager, coaches, teammates and fans. https://t.co/jXsoauDbn9
Details of Ben White and Steve Holland's 'angry exchange' have emerged after the Arsenal defender rejected an England call-up https://t.co/EES0HqWzuO https://t.co/ssFesninSa
Intriguing that Ben White asked Edu to tell England he didn't want to be called up (according to Gareth Southgate). Presumably White didn't feel able to say so himself. Southgate entirely within his rights to share the information. https://t.co/vG7LILdViu
Why has Ben White turned his back on England? From @DTathletic https://t.co/9zHyGXDhZY
Gareth Southgate reveals he doesn’t know full reason Ben White won’t play for England but warns against ‘backlash’ | @CharlieWyett https://t.co/jLfUqXrugs https://t.co/jLfUqXrugs
Southgate defends decision to go public on White's England absence https://t.co/DEBLJw807Y https://t.co/84fP4SsgZ4
Southgate says he had to pick White on form, but he already sensed a "reticence" https://t.co/VKQs6dQFEY
Gareth Southgate insists he hopes there will be no public backlash against Ben White | @johncrossmirror https://t.co/DNAgp2EADZ https://t.co/9wkNdpnZgA
Ben White’s England refusal shows a shift in loyalties towards club football | Barney Ronay https://t.co/mWe3UPVn91
I’d urge any Arsenal fans looking for some clarity on Ben White & England to read this ⬇️ https://t.co/OKmxebMqPi
Ben White is certainly loved at Arsenal and that’s the most important thing. Top player. 👍
Ben White is playing brilliantly for Arsenal and has just been rewarded with a new #AFC contract. So what's put him off an England call-up? A lack of starts, the row with Steve Holland and bad experiences in two tournaments. For @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/rNb3fwCv3a
"It's a really disappointing blow for Southgate" Dean Ashton says it feels "unthinkable to most people" that Ben White would not want to play for England 🏴 https://t.co/Jnb0bMYgv9
😬 Ben White's England misery remains a mystery, but the versatile defender is busy establishing himself as one of the league's best at Arsenal 🔴 ✍️ @JoshJohnOBrien1 https://t.co/jpi6CB1Nyx https://t.co/KZmnICrLRd
Martin Odegaard says there's more to Ben White than meets the eye. #BBCFootball https://t.co/3XkCDaJDcP