Ben White has carefully positioned himself as one of the Premier League's players of the season.
The defender has played a key role in the division's best defence and against Chelsea ensured that his attacking qualities cannot go unnoticed. The former Brighton ace scored twice against Arsenal's London rivals to put his team top of the table.
White has rarely looked uncomfortable in his career. From tasting Championship success with Leeds, making his Premier League breakthrough with Brighton and joining the Gunners, he has continued on an upward trajectory.
Under Mikel Arteta he has developed from an impressive central defender, to an established full-back and is now showing the capability to regularly contribute in the attacking third of the pitch. That's not to mention his ability to establish his presence in midfield too.
With Arsenal still in the title race, it could yet be a successful season ahead. One, that would usually see him playing a role for England in this summer's European Championships.
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White has a claim to being the best full-back in the Premier League at the moment. The Three Lions' lofty stock in the position has taken a hit with the likes of Reece James and Kieran Trippier out injured, and Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold having only just returned himself.
There can be little argument over White as a candidate. The 26-year-old was not in England's last squad however and has not featured under Gareth Southgate since March 2022.
He was called up to that year's World Cup but went home in the middle of the tournament for personal reasons. Conflict with coach Steve Holland during that time has been much reported on since.
Ben White with the England squad at the 2022 World Cup (Getty Images)As recently as March it was revealed that White did not want to be considered by his nation. Arsenal chief Edu contacted the England set-up to inform them of the decision.
Southgate revealed as much ahead of England's friendlies vs Brazil and Belgium. The former Middlesbrough boss appeared to lay White's absence firmly at the defender's feet.
Is the door still open for White to be involved in Germany in June? The England boss says 'the door is open for us' but admitted he had kept his distance following a conversation with White 12 months before.
There remains an inclination for the Arsenal star's teammates to prove persuasive. "When I get back I can have a conversation with him [White] and see the ins and outs and see what he thinks," said Declan Rice last month.
"I would love him to come. I think Bukayo (Saka) would. I think Aaron Ramsdale would. I think we're all going to be on him when we get back to say… hopefully, he can change his mind but I don't know the ins and outs of that conversation."
Ben White turned down an England call-up for the latest fixtures (Getty Images)For some, the moment White stepped away from England truly saw the explosion of his Arsenal career.
"He would be a great option for England," said former Gunner Lauren, "Especially heading into the Euros, but if that's not going to be the case then, while it's a real shame, being selfish, I honestly don't mind - because it means his sole focus is on Arsenal. Ben White not playing for England is only a good thing for Arsenal supporters.
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"That was the turning point in his Arsenal career, though, in my opinion... when he decided to leave the national team. That situation made him stronger, I believe. He's stronger now than the player who was playing for the national team, 100%. He's stronger than ever, and I love it. I love it."
Ex-Arsenal striker Alan Smith also believes it is a shame but that his former team are the benficiaries. He said: “It's a great shame that Ben White doesn’t want to be selected for England."
"Gareth Southgate is not willing to tell people because it’s probably a personal matter, but he’s in brilliant form and would be an asset to any side. He was fantastic against Wolves on the weekend and again against Chelsea on Tuesday to get those goals, but if he doesn’t want to play for England then he doesn’t want to play!
“It’s quite an unusual situation, but he’s certainly doing the business for Arsenal and they’re probably happy that he can solely focus on his club career from now on.”
Not everyone has been quite as forgiving. Former West Ham and Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp told talkSPORT: "The door should be slammed right in his mush."
The veteran manager described White's decision as 'disgusting' and drew comparison to the likes of Bobby Moore and David Beckham's commitment to England. Redknapp was not alone in his assessment with high profile figures such as Jeff Stelling also speaking out.
Such comments appear to have prompted White's agent to send a reply. While the defender's performance against Chelsea was receiving praise, Alexander Levack wanted to cut through with his message.
LONDON COLNEY, ENGLAND - MARCH 14: Ben White with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta as he signs contract extension at Sobha Realty Training Centre on March 14, 2024 in London Colney, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)"I feel compelled to write this today after such a great performance last night, and all season for that matter, from client Ben White," Levack wrote on Linkedin. "For the past 4 weeks Ben has been in the press and media a great deal in that time with a large percentage of that being negative.
"Whilst I appreciate that Ben is in the public eye which brings it’s own connotations and leaves you open to criticism I wanted to make the point that every elite performer, whichever field that may be, is a human being who has the same feeling we all have and experience good and bad. No one knows what is actually going on in one’s life so I really believe people should think before making a judgement or criticising these elite performers in public.
"Ben has shown unbelievable robustness and strength throughout this adverse period off the pitch and has blocked out all the noise and has performed incredibly well on the pitch, in a situation where many others could have and would have wilted. Ben has an incredible temperament and attitude which allows him the ability to navigate through his working and personal life.
"I suppose the main message is be kind to people as you do not have the full facts, which in Ben’s case neither Ben nor I wish to vocalise publicly, and do not know what is going on in peoples personal lives so again please be kind."
It remains to be seen whether White will make the trip to the EUROs. If he doesn't, it won't be because he's not good enough. A summer call-up or lack of it will not diminish his achievements this term.
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