With half of the Groups in the World already decided, with which teams go forward to the knockouts and which ones are on the plane journey home, there has not been one country with an Arsenal player in it that has been eliminated yet, but Ben White has gone.
But today, we are hearing that Arsenal’s right-back Ben White, who is yet to kick a ball for England is on his way home “for personal reasons”. It was reported that he was not in contention to play against Wales because of “illness”, but it now appears that there was another reason, and he has quickly arranged to return to the UK.
The English FA quickly reported it and asked for Ben’s privacy to be respected…..
England FA Statement
Ben White has left England’s training base in Al Wakrah and returned home for personal reasons.
The Arsenal defender is not expected to return to the squad for the remainder of the tournament.
We ask that the player’s privacy is respected at this moment in time.
Arsenal themselves simply said in a statement: “We’re all with you, Ben.”
Ben White has flown home and left England’s World Cup training base.
The Arsenal defender is not expected to return to Qatar to rejoin the squad after being given permission to leave for “personal reasons.” White missed training this week as the Football Association said he was ill and that was why he missed the session.
England had named a 26 man squad and White had played no part so far and the return to fitness of Kyle Walker has eased concerns over having enough cover in defence. White had been playing with a hip injury and making the squad was a major boost for him but now this will be a big disappointment.
White was at his second major tournament with England, having been included in the squad that reached last summer’s European Championship final. The £50million defender did not make an appearance during the tournament and has only won two caps since, taking his overall tally to four.
