{"id":1228,"date":"2026-04-01T06:05:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T06:05:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=1228"},"modified":"2026-04-01T06:05:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T06:05:26","slug":"arsenal-latest-11-stars-told-they-should-face-ban-as-ben-white-theory-raised","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=1228","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal latest: 11 stars told they should face ban as Ben White theory raised"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_1e9d73\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Arsenal have 11 players who withdrew from international duty amid injury concerns<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33692603\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Ben White of Arsenal  during the Carabao Cup Final match Arsenal and between Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2026 in London, England. \" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33692603.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2267931786.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33692603.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2267931786.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33692603.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2267931786.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33692603.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2267931786.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Ben White returned to represent his country for the first time in four years this month\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Ben White returned to represent his country for the first time in four years this month<cite aria-label=\"Image: Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Justin Setterfield\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal face a challenging period with three trophies still up for grabs this season and numerous injury concerns to manage. A number of Gunners players have returned early to north London during the international break for treatment ahead of the Premier League&#8217;s April restart.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Mikel Arteta&#8217;s squad face an FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton on Saturday evening, and the manager may need to make several changes. High-profile players such as Declan Rice, Piero Hincapie, Eberechi Eze and William Saliba all withdrew from their national teams to return to the club.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">With only seven matches remaining in the Premier League season, it appears that Arteta is nearing his first league title since taking control in 2019. Supporters will hope the Gunners can maintain their nine-point lead to secure the trophy in May.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Here, <strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">football.london<\/strong> provides <a aria-label=\"the latest updatesLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/football\/news\/arsenal-ben-white-ban-england-36948993\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">the latest updates<\/a> from the Emirates Stadium.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!<\/strong><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AFCFootball.London#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_7edf0a\">Calls for significant Arsenal ban<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Gabby Agbonlahor insists that Arsenal&#8217;s injured stars should be barred from domestic matches if they have withdrawn from international duty.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A total of 11 players have been pulled out of their respective national teams. These include Saliba, Rice, Eze, Hincapie, Martin Zubimendi, Gabriel, Leoandro Trossard, Jurrien Timber, Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The ex-Aston Villa star was analysing the tense title race between Arsenal and Manchester City when the conversation turned to the Arsenal players.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said: &#8220;If I was part of the Premier League and I was making a decision, I would bring in a new rule, you miss the next Premier League game available if you pull out of international duty.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33692605\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33692605\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.63\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"England's Noni Madueke sustains an injury during the international friendly match between England and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on March 27, 2026 in London, England.\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33692605.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2268153361.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33692605.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2268153361.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33692605.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2268153361.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33692605.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2268153361.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"A number of Arsenal stars have pulled out of international duty\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">A number of Arsenal stars have pulled out of international duty<cite aria-label=\"Image: Rob Newell - CameraSport via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Rob Newell &#8211; CameraSport via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I tell you something, players will stop pulling out. Playing for your country is an honour. If I&#8217;m Harry Kane, I&#8217;m speaking about this and saying, &#8216;Come on, guys, let&#8217;s not go back to what we were doing four or five years ago where players are pulling out non-stop.&#8217;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I get it, Arteta is doing everything possible to win these trophies. Their next game after the international break is the FA Cup against Southampton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;I&#8217;m just not keen on players pulling out of international duty. It&#8217;s an honour to play for your country. It doesn&#8217;t sit right with me.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_7edf0a\">New theory on White surfaces<\/h3>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33692604\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33692604\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Ben White of England during the international friendly match between England and Uruguay at Wembley Stadium on March 27, 2026 in London, England.\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33692604.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2268844289.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33692604.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2268844289.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33692604.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2268844289.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33692604.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2268844289.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"White has been accused of not doing his homework\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">White has been accused of not doing his homework<cite aria-label=\"Image: Sebastian Frej\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Sebastian Frej\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">talkSPORT pundit Adrian Durham suggests that Ben White didn&#8217;t adequately prepare for his England duties during the 2022 World Cup, leading to his high-profile exit from the squad.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The seasoned defender has returned to international action for the first time since leaving the Three Lions four years ago. Thomas Tuchel selected White as a replacement for the injured Jarell Quansah, and he marked his comeback with a goal in the 1-1 draw against Uruguay.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">However, the circumstances surrounding his departure from England in 2022 remain a subject of considerable debate, and Durham has put forward an intriguing theory. He said: &#8220;This is what I&#8217;m led to understand has happened with Ben White.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;The players were told to watch videos of opponents and they were given videos on their laptops, iPads, whatever it was. He decided not to and the England analysts knew, because they had the tech, who had and who hadn&#8217;t watched the videos.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;When asked about it, Ben White got really upset about it to the point where he quit England. If that is true, why on earth would Thomas Tuchel want him back in the squad when he&#8217;s not prepared to put the hard yards in to be as good as he possibly can against the opponents England are up against.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;If it&#8217;s not true, I apologise, but let&#8217;s have the flipping truth.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateContentsEmbed_affiliate-contents-container__oTiet\" data-testid=\"affiliate-contents-embed\">\n<div data-testid=\"affiliate-content\" class=\"AffiliateContent_affiliate-content-container__10EX_ affiliate-content\">\n<p>Get \u00a3250 to switch to Virgin Media&#8217;s sport packages<\/p>\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-disclaimer__dG5ST\">\n<div class=\"AffiliateDisclaimer_affiliate-text__8nmDa\">This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. 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A number of Gunners [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1229,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1228","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1228","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1228"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1228\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1229"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1228"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1228"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1228"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}