Pundit issues ‘disaster’ Ben White claim after ‘big’ Arsenal news
Ben White has been “very poor” for Arsenal and is only in the England squad because of “big club bias”, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England attacker claimed it was a “disaster” that the 24-year-old was picked by Gareth Southgate ahead of Tyrone Mings.
White was included in the 27-man squad for the upcoming Nations League games announced last week (24 May) while Mings, 29, was omitted for the first time since his first call up in September 2019.
On Monday (30 May) White had to withdraw from the camp with a hamstring injury and he will instead continue his rehabilitation back at Arsenal.
The centre-back sat out the Gunners’ final game of the Premier League season as they hammered Everton 5-1 at the Emirates.
But Agbonlahor has insisted his performance in the game before that means he should not be in the Three Lions squad.
He told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “Ben White’s been very poor.
“He got into the England squad before Tyrone Mings this time which I think is a disaster.
“That Newcastle game he was dreadful because Arsenal are a bigger club than Aston Villa in some people’s eyes that’s why he got in.
“Definitely the big club bias is still there.”
White moved to Arsenal from Brighton & Hove Albion last summer (2021) for a fee of £50million.
The four-time international played 37 times across all competitions in his debut season for the Gunners as they finished fifth, two points behind Tottenham in fourth.
In other news, multiple clubs are racing to lure a senior Arsenal man as offers are lined up.