Ben White: Arsenal defender tipped for Real Madrid Champions League start as England future discussed

The 27-year-old has performed a U-turn on his England future following the arrival of Thomas Tuchel, although he did not make the German's first Three Lions squad following his recent recovery from a knee operation.

However, Tuchel confirmed that White was back in contention over two years on from his last England appearance, having been in a self-imposed exile since leaving the 2022 World Cup after an alleged bust-up with former assistant Steve Holland.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion man is currently facing a fight to win his place back in the Arsenal team from Jurrien Timber, but Watts has no doubts that White will have a key role to play for both club and country in the coming months.

"Yeah, absolutely," Watts told Sports Mole when asked if White still had a future with England. "Ben White's going to play a lot for Arsenal. Timber's playing really, really well at the moment. But the full-back position is such a demanding role.

Watts backs White to get "plenty of minutes" for Arsenal

"A big reason why Ben White got injured was because Jurrien Timber was injured. So White basically ran himself into the ground for over a season. And now he's back. Mikel is in that perfect position where you've got two top quality right-backs who you can rotate and not have to play week in, week out. So he'll get plenty of minutes."

White played through the pain of a knee injury for months before it was decided that he would be going under the knife in November, but his recovery went to plan and he has made four appearances since the start of February.

In addition to coming off the bench against West Ham United and Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, White appeared in both legs of Arsenal's Champions League last-16 clash with PSV Eindhoven, making his first start of 2025 in the 2-2 second-leg draw.

However, White was an unused substitute in Arsenal's last Premier League game, a 1-0 win over London derby rivals Chelsea, where Timber put in an exceptional display at right-back as Myles Lewis-Skelly started in his usual left-back role.

Lewis-Skelly - who became England's youngest-ever debutant goalscorer in Friday's 2-0 win over Albania - has unexpectedly become one of Mikel Arteta's first-choice players this season, and the fearless 18-year-old would likely be unfazed by the prospect of playing Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Watts feels that Timber may be a better option at left-back against the European champions, though, which could open the door for White to start either one or both legs, adding: "I wouldn't be surprised if we see Timber at times being used at left-back.

White at right-back, Timber at left-back against Real Madrid?

"Real Madrid, if Ben White is considered 100% fit, I think Timber has to come into the equation of what you do on Arsenal's left when you look at the threat Real Madrid have got and how they utilize it down that right wing. I look at Timber's strengths playing as a left back, I think he might be really useful there.

"But whatever it is, Ben White's going to play loads, and you can play Timber at centre back, which means you can finally rest Saliba at times. You can play White at centre back and rest Saliba. This is what you want, if you're Mikel Arteta, you want your best players fit. And Ben White is still one of Arsenal's best players.

"He's such an important member of this squad and will continue to be such an important member of his squad. I absolutely expect he'll be in the next England squad once he's proven his fitness."

Arsenal welcome Los Blancos to the Emirates for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final on April 8, eight days before Arteta's men journey to the Bernabeu for the second leg.

Arteta could be deprived of one left-back option against Carlo Ancelotti's side, though, as the Gunners have reportedly learned the extent of the knee injury that Riccardo Calafiori suffered on international duty with Italy.

Written by

Ben Knapton