Thomas Tuchel’s England squad could be set for a big upgrade in June with the return of Ben White.
The Arsenal defender hasn’t played for the Three Lions since the 2022 World Cup due to a reported falling out with assistant manager Steve Holland.
Holland and manager Gareth Southgate left after the Euro 2024 final, and it now appears that replacement Tuchel has made amends.
Discussing his injury-hit season that derailed a potential England return in March, White confirmed: “I’m definitely available.
“I spoke to him [Tuchel] a few times and he’s such a nice, nice man, very honest.
“Obviously I haven’t been back for too long so it’s just about playing now and hopefully making my way back in.”
White missed much of the season for Arsenal with a knee injury keeping him out from November until March before a relapse left him with just 24 appearances out of a possible 56 for the Gunners.
Explaining his struggles, the 27-year-old said: “I’ve never really been injured before.
“I didn’t really know how to deal with it as well as I probably could have. It’s just so long, not doing what you love and not being able to help the team was tough.
“I’m back now, feeling good and I think it’s about getting ready for next season. I’m having a baby this summer so I’m going to be in England, training every day and getting back to my best.
“It’s something so exciting and probably the most valuable thing you can have happen.”
Initially a centre-back when he signed from Brighton for £50million in 2021, White has since moved to right-back and excelled as one of the best in the league.
Yet two summers ago Jurrien Timber arrived as full-back competition, but then also had his own injury struggles, missing almost all of the 2023/24 season with an anterior cruciate ligament tear.
Discussing his teammate, White said: “Seeing JT come back from an ACL, he’s had to play every game and has done so well.
“It would have been ideal if I could have helped and maybe taken a little bit of stress off him.
“I think it’s a great situation for everyone, we’re two completely different full-backs so it’s nice to have different options and different qualities to bring to the team.”
On Arsenal as a whole, White is hoping they can still end the season in second place, despite ending a fifth campaign trophyless after their Champions League semi-final exit to Paris Saint-Germain.
“Obviously we can’t win it but we still want to do as well as possible and get second place, which is really important. We just want to win games, which we know we can,” he explained.
“This season, we’ve had a difficult time with injuries and I think we’ve done well with that. You see other teams that have had big injuries and they’re not sitting very well in the league.
“So yes, we’ve had some big injuries and I believe that it’s a credit to all the players that have come in and done so well.”
Arsenal finish the campaign against Newcastle and Southampton before White will be eyeing an England return against Andorra in World Cup qualifying on June 7.
