Report: How Arsenal's players actually feel about Ben White after he returns to training in Dubai

By Ben Evans

Arsenal have been boosted by defender Ben White returning to training after he left England’s World Cup camp.

A report from Football London was outlining the key talking points from Arsenal’s Dubai Super Cup win over AC Milan.

Arteta started White yesterday, before bringing him off at half-time for Cedric Soares.

He helped the Gunners keep a clean sheet while on the pitch, as he played his first minutes since the Premier League paused.

White left the England camp after the Three Lions had qualified from their group at the World Cup.

An FA statement said: “Ben White has left England’s training base in Al Wakrah and returned home for personal reasons.”

He had been an unused substitute in England’s first two matches, but was left out of the squad against Wales.

White returned to training at the same time as Thomas Partey and Matt Turner after their World Cups ended at a similar time.

The 25-year-old will be pleased to have come through his return to action unscathed.

After cementing a place in Arteta’s starting line-up before the World Cup, he’ll be hoping to pick up where he left off on Boxing Day against Brentford.

White returns to Arsenal training

Football London has now shared how Arsenal’s squad feel about White re-joining the squad.

They believe he has been welcomed back with the camp, and remains a ‘popular figure’ among his teammates.

“Everybody has been giving him a lot of support and love,” Arteta said when asked about White’s return.

“We know the reasons he had to leave the camp. We are delighted to have him back and he looked in really good shape.”

White arrived at The Emirates from Brighton last summer for a £50m fee.

Primarily a centre-back, who has also functioned as a defensive midfielder, White’s role has been on the right this season.

Arteta has said that White is really enjoying his new role, and the improvement has been evident.

White has gone from looking like a centre-half playing out wide to a right-back very quickly.

He’s now been seen overlapping Bukayo Saka out wide, and supporting the winger in attacking scenarios.

White returning to training is a big boost for not just Arteta, but his teammates too.