Ben White set to return to Arsenal amid reports of England World Cup 'bust-up'

Ben White will shortly reunite with Arsenal despite the revelation of the circumstances surrounding his departure from the England World Cup team on Thursday night.

White and Steve Holland, Gareth Southgate's assistant, allegedly got into a verbal altercation during the team meeting. He was reportedly sent home from Qatar. However, the FA provides a different reason.

After his departure on November 30, a statement said:

"Ben White has left England's training base in Al Wakrah and returned home for personal reasons. The Arsenal defender is not expected to return to the squad for the remainder of the tournament. We ask that the player's privacy is respected at this moment in time."

However, The Daily Star claims that White's departure was due to his dispute with Holland and problems with the England team. Reports also claimed that he struggled to connect with the camp, which has been hailed for its unity and peace throughout Southgate's six-year leadership.

He also argued with Holland during the squad meeting after forgetting to recite crucial details about England's opponents in Group B, Iran, the United States, and Wales.

Arsenal has provided an update on White's location and plans to join Mikel Arteta's team following the shocking revelation.


Express Sport claims that the former center back who has moved to right back will rejoin the Arsenal squad "in due course" before the start of the Premier League on Boxing Day. The Arsenal team is currently in the Middle East, for the Dubai Champions League.
It is still unclear if White will meet up with his clubmates in North London this month or return to the Middle East. But his absence from the winter camp indicates that he is unlikely to appear in either game despite Dubai's proximity to Qatar.

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