White lauded by Arsenal Invincible as defender misses out on England selection

But despite being in fine form for the Premier League leaders, national boss Gareth Southgate omitted the 25-year-old from his England squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Advertisement

White was included in the Three Lions' World Cup squad, but left Qatar early due to 'personal reasons' having failed to play a single minute.

He is yet to miss a top-flight match for the Gunners this season though, where he has transitioned into a full-back following the budding partnership between William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.

Advertisement

The ex-Brighton man has established himself as the first-choice right-back under Mikel Arteta ahead of Takehiro Tomiyasu having started 25 out of Arsenal's 27 league games.

And Gunners legend Lauren, who won seven major honours with Arsenal, has waxed lyrical over White's performances in his old position.

Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT courtesy of bet365, he said: "I'm very pleased with his playing and the way he has been performing.

"He's been performing very well. He gives so much for the team.

Advertisement

Advertisement

"It's not his natural position, but tactically, I believe for Arteta, he's been one of the key members this season.

"When playing [Oleksandr] Zinchenko in the middle of the pitch, Ben White allows for the defensive system to be more flexible where you can form a back three with Gabriel and Saliba.

Advertisement

"His versatility is hugely beneficial to Arsenal, he's been a key player this season and I've been impressed, definitely."

On White's omission, Southgate explained there was simply so much competition for spaces and others are ahead of him.

"It is similar for Ben and Trent [Alexander Arnold]," he said.

"We have players ahead of those two and we are blessed with talent.

Advertisement

"Kyle [Walker] and Tripps [Kieran Trippier] were the ones who played during the World Cup and have been consistent while Reece [James] has come back."

Lauren, meanwhile, was also quick to single out Zinchenko, as he compared his role to that of Bayern Munich icon Philipp Lahm.

Pressed at whether he has revolutionised the left-back role as he often plays in midfield during matches, Lauren remarked: "He's been brilliant.

Advertisement

"Arteta clearly has a strategy he wants to implement in this Arsenal squad, dominating that middle of the park, and credit to the boys for stepping up and delivering it so far this season.

"But with Zinchenko it's not a revolution, because we've seen that before at Bayern Munich with Philipp Lahm.

"Rather than playing as a right-back, he used to hop inside to be another extra man in the middle.

"I said similar about [Joao] Cancelo a few years back too. Cancelo is not a proper full-back. He used to be in the middle of the path as well as a Phillip Lahm.

Advertisement

"So it's not a revolution, but Zinchenko has been a key player for Arsenal this season and allowed us to dominate the opponents in that middle of the park.

"Him playing the way he has been frees up Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey to excel. They're all working together to be so strong this season."

Arsenal have the chance to go eight points clear of second-placed Manchester City on Sunday should they beat Crystal Palace at the Emirates.

Advertisement