Mikel Arteta has say on Ben White England U-turn as Thomas Tuchel considers call

Mikel Arteta has issued his say on Ben White potentially returning to the England set-up as the Arsenal star considers reigniting his international career.

White returned to the Gunners first-team on Saturday for his side’s defeat to West Ham following a three-month injury. He has also been out of the England set-up since 2022 when he remarkably left the World Cup squad in Qatar.

The ex-Brighton star rejected the chance to return to the Three Lions set-up under Gareth Southgate last year, though the appointment of Thomas Tuchel may now have changed the landscape.

Tuchel insisted that he would ‘reach out’ to White to discuss matters, and that conversation has now taken place. However, it is still unclear whether the defender wants to return.

Asked about the situation, Arteta said: “That's a conversation that he and Thomas have to have, whatever they decide will come in great terms and will make sense. It will be the right decision."

If White does decide to return to the England squad, he could be joined by Arsenal teammate Myles Lewis-Skelly, who is in the frame to make his Three Lions debut.

Tuchel has been monitoring the situation of the versatile defender closely and is considering handing the 18-year-old a senior call-up despite him not having played for England's under-21s yet.

With an acute need for options at left back – where injuries and form have sidelined usual picks such as Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell – and only Newcastle's Lewis Hall as another strong contender, Tuchel might just make an audacious move to include Lewis-Skelly for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers at Wembley.

Arteta exuded confidence in his young talent potentially breaking into the England ranks, saying: "They are entitled to do that and it would be an incredible thing for the player."