Arsenal star Ben White talking about England during his time at Brighton and it Lead to something UP!!!

Footage of Arsenal star Ben White talking about England during his time at Brighton has emerged – and it sums things up.

Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate confirmed that, ahead of the selection of his squad to take on friendlies against Brazil and Belgium this month, he was informed that White was not available.

Southgate stated that Arsenal sporting director Edu called to deliver the news that White did not want to be selected.

Southgate added: “There is no issue between us at all and there’s also no issue with Steve [Holland, assistant manager], which has been mentioned in articles … that’s not the reason Ben is not with us.”

The Arsenal defender, who recently signed a long-term contract to stay at the Emirates Stadium, left England’s 2022 World Cup squad partway through that tournament due to ‘personal reasons’. Since then, he has not played a game for the Three Lions.

The Athletic claim that White is said to have found international football, and life at tournaments, difficult, as well as having other players ahead of him in the pecking order.

They also allege that he did have a row with Holland – although Southgate has denied this.

White has not publicly commented on the snub, with his most recent Instagram post ignoring it entirely and instead addressing his new deal with Arsenal.

Now, footage of White discussing the moment he found out about his first England call-up whilst at Brighton has emerged – and it shows how much feelings have changed for all parties.

He told Sky Sports News about being picked in the provisional squad for Euro 2020: “I didn’t really believe it.

“Obviously speaking to Dan [Ashworth, then-Brighton technical director], he told me the news and when I was going. It was unbelievable.

“I put the phone down, rang my mum straight away. I sat down, I cried. My mum’s crying, my dad, had all my sisters there. I just sat and cried for about an hour.

“I couldn’t really believe it, and I don’t think it’s settled in yet.

“When that call did come, I was over the moon with it and shocked really. There’s no pressure, I’ve got to go and do what I’ve got to do, and do my best. If I do get game time, I’ve got to produce my quality and show everyone what I’ve got.”

Although White was cut from the final 26-man squad for Euro 2020, he was eventually called up as an injury replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold. He didn’t play in the tournament, however.

Arsenal defender Ben White rejected the chance to represent England in the upcoming international break but isn’t the only player to do so.

White has been a mainstay in Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal team that currently sit top of the Premier League, ahead of Liverpool on goal difference and one point clear of Manchester City.

England have international friendlies against Brazil and Belgium as Gareth Southgate looks to give players the chance to secure their place in the EURO 2024 squad.

Nevertheless, White has opted against representing the Three Lions with Southgate expressing his disappointment at the decision while squashing any notion of a falling out with coach Steve Holland.

Southgate said: “We, John McDermott and I, had a call from Edu (Arsenal sporting director) last week (and he) said Ben didn’t want to be considered for England squads at this time. For me that is a great shame. He is a player we took to the Euros, a player we took to the World Cup and I spoke to him post-Qatar because I wanted to pick him.”

It’s unclear whether White will reject the chance to join the EURO squad if offered but he isn’t the only player to reject a call-up to the national team.

Chris Sutton turned down the chance to play for England’s B team during Glenn Hoddle’s spell as manager which ultimately cost him the chance to play for the senior side again. On the rejection, Sutton said: “I phoned him up and said I wasn’t going to play for the B team, and he said I’d never play for England again. And you have to say he was right!”

David Bentley received a senior call-up during his best spell at Blackburn Rovers but failed to make it off the bench. He rejected the chance to join up with the U21s after the snub in order to focus on his club career.

Fan-favourite Micah Richards chose to play for Team GB at the 2012 Olympic Games rather than feature in Roy Hodgson’s EURO 2012. Richards was named on the standby list but would have been called up after an injury to Gary Cahill but he chose to play at the Olympic Games instead.

Ben Foster took a break from international football during Fabio Capello’s reign as manager but failed to inform the Italian he would no longer be considered for selection with Capello reportedly only finding out after reading Birmingham City’s website.

After failing to play a single minute for his country between October 2009 and the eve of EURO 2012, Michael Carrick turned down Hodgson’s offer of a place in the England squad for the tournament. However, two months later he returned to the international fold and started four out of five England games.

Former Liverpool star Tom Ince declined a place in England U21’s European Championship squad citing his age. He helped the Three Lions qualify but didn’t want to be included in the final squad to give other youngsters the chance to experience the tournament he had already featured in years before.

Former Chelsea midfielder Danny Drinkwater reportedly refused to help Southgate solve an injury crisis in November 2017, opting to stay and receive treatment at Stamford Bridge. He would never be called up again.

Mason Greenwood opted against joining the senior squad in 2021 in order to focus on his development at Manchester United while Jude Bellingham requested to be rested during his time with Borussia Dortmund during a tough Bundesliga campaign. Reece James has also turned down an England call-up in the past to focus on his fitness at Chelsea.

Callum Hudson-Odoi rejected the chance to join up with the England U21 which left Southgate disappointed. He said: “By not being in the Under-21s he misses a bit of an opportunity to impress us and come across if we need players for training and those sorts of things.”

Players can reject a call-up for a number of reasons and it won’t be the last time we see a player turn down the chance to wear the famous white shirt.

On Thursday Southgate announced his England squad for upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium Wembley.

Arsenal defender Ben White was not named in the squad, Southgate’s final selection before he names the players that will travel to Germany for Euro 2024 this summer.

While White’s exclusion did not come as a huge surprise, Southgate’s revelation that the 26-year-old has asked not to be considered for future squads did.