Mikel Arteta hopes Gareth Southgate gives Ben White the nod for England’s upcoming matches following the centre-back’s good form for Arsenal.
The Three Lions are due to confirm their squad for friendly matches with Switzerland and Ivory Coast in the coming days and the 24-year-old has put himself in a prime position to be selected having helped the Gunners to 12 clean sheets in the Premier League in 24 appearances.
White made two appearances for England in the build-up to Euro 2020 and was a late addition to the squad that reached the final but he’s yet to feature in a competitive match and missed out on the last two squads.
Asked if his £50 million summer signing is now England’s best defender, Arteta said: “I don’t know, we are really happy with his performances, how he has adapted, what he brings to the team certainly.
“Hopefully he can get rewarded, because the way that he trains, he looks at himself and the performances that he’s having. He is certainly creating that attention, from a lot of people.”
Alongside the admiration for White, there’s been plenty of praise for goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale.
After watching the Arsenal stopper produce a series of wondrous saves against Leicester this season, including one on Sunday to deny Harvey Barnes’ header, Foxes manager Brendan Rodgers said:
“For me he’s the best English keeper at the moment. I think he’s top. His progression since he came to Arsenal, he’s playing for a huge club, different expectation with how to play football, I think he’s dealt with that really well.”
Ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Liverpool, Arteta reacted to Rodgers’ words.
“Well, first thanks to Brendan for thinking that way and I think Aaron has to take those words to give him confidence and support in what he’s doing,” he said.
“I always said he’s been exceptional since the day we signed him, not only on the pitch, but what he transmitted, what he brought to the building, to the club, outside with his character and personality and that’s the kind of people that we want to bring to the club.”
Arteta also agreed that Ramsdale’s adaptation has been helped by Arsenal having a young English core on the books.
“Certainly, and you can see the understanding and the chemistry that he has with some of those. The fact that they knew each other for many years, that is always helpful and that speeds up the process of any adaptation when it’s always difficult at a new club.”
How Ramsdale can not be picked ahead of Pickford and White not ahead of Maguire is blatantly obvious now.
It’s high time that the England squad – and, let’s not mince words, what now should be the first XI – had a strong Gooner contingent. It’s been way too fucking Spursy and Northern for my liking this past decade.
If Maguire is playing ahead of White, Southgate should get his head examined
Not that I care (cos it’s hilarious), but what has happened to Maguire?
I mean, I’ve never been his biggest fan, but even I had to admit that he was decent when England had that run in the World Cup and then in the Euros.
This season, he looks like a Sunday League player!
For England he played against mostly average attacks and had Rice and Phillips ahead of him. For Man Utd he’s normally playing against better forwards, and with worse teammates, trying to play more attacking football. So he gets exposed a lot more.
Don’t understand … Maguire plays as left side center back, White on the right. They both play no?
White has been fabulous, and it’s just a quirk of fate that he’s behind Maguire (for eg) in the England set up.
A very incredulous, and yet, very lucky , quirk of fate…….. (for us)!,
Full International caps can make a player’s confidence at club level soar.
Injuries aside, having White, Ramsdale and ESR turning out as regulars for England – as well as Saka – could actually be more beneficial than you think.
Saka, ESR, Ramsdale, and White should all be in England squad. No-brainer.
I expect ESR to miss out this time from lack of game time with his injury, but no question when fully fit he should be ahead of Sancho, Rushford etc for a spot in the squad
We should hope he’s rested so he can get back to full fitness. Doesn’t need to play two pointless friendlies. Although if he’s in the squad making a sub appearance it’s probably not a bad thing to get him up to speed
My thoughts exactly !!
And Saka, Ramsdale and White should start, as I don’t see many players above them at the moment.
I don’t think Ramsdale will come in until Pickford makes a few errors. As Southgate always says, he’s not really made any mistakes for England (regardless of Everton form).
And to be honest that doesn’t bother me for now. The pressure will be so intense on England after their Euro run for the WC, and Ramsdale is a lot younger, so no massive rush. No doubt in my mind he’s the better keeper though.
Yeah I agree. I think Ramsdale is the better goalkeeper, but Pickford is Southgate’s guy and tbf has been pretty good in Southgate’s system for England. As soon as he makes some mistakes Ramsdale will be in.
If southgate should pick Maguire, Rashford, pickford ahead of white, Smith rowe and ramsdale, that’s sporting criminality period
Unfortunately for England and ManUre, Maguire has really struggled. Fortunately for England and Arsenal, White has been great. Love to see Benjamin start for the Three Lions!
It’s been so long since we had a plethora of England players. ❤️
No big rush for any of Arsenal’s young guns.
Tiiii-iiime is on– their side…♫♪
Yes, it is.
Not keen on the Pickford Maguire bashers those two never let England down & are proud to represent their country ! Ramsdale & Benjamin in my humble opinion however are better more progressive players with Ben White a serious serious upgrade !
Saka ESR Ramsdale White all deserve serious game time Just brilliant to see & it kinda makes you proud we’ve got our Arsenal back !