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New England head coach Thomas Tuchel has reportedly held discussions with Arsenal defender Ben White regarding his potential return to international duty. With England preparing for World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia in March, Tuchel is working to clarify which players will be available for selection.

White, who has four England caps, has been absent from the national team setup since March 2022. While he was included in the 2022 World Cup squad, he left after the group stage due to “personal reasons.” Reports later suggested a fallout with then-assistant coach Steve Holland led to his exit.

A Fresh Start Under Tuchel?

Former manager Gareth Southgate had attempted to recall White in the past but was told the Arsenal defender was unavailable for selection. However, Tuchel is hoping for a reset, making it clear when he took the job that he intended to offer White a clean slate.

“I will reach out to him,” Tuchel said upon his appointment. “It should be a clean start and a clear narrative. I will be in the stadiums from January, but I won’t distract the players. They should just know, ‘OK, the boss is there from January.’”

The outcome of his talks with White remains uncertain, and Arsenal could be hesitant to release the player for international duty as he has only just recovered from a knee injury.

Arteta’s Perspective on White’s England Future

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has also weighed in on White’s international prospects, suggesting that while he hopes to see the defender back in the England squad, the decision should be entirely up to the player.

“As a manager, I want the best for him, personally and professionally, but he really needs to feel it,” Arteta said. “Hopefully, he’s prepared to represent his country in the best way possible one day. That would be the best option for everybody, but it’s completely up to him.”

White Focused on Club Fitness and Champions League Return

For now, White’s priority remains his fitness after making a brief substitute appearance in Arsenal’s recent defeat to West Ham his first Premier League outing since November.

The 27-year-old will look to regain his starting place in upcoming fixtures, including a midweek clash against Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal’s schedule intensifies with a crucial Champions League last-16 away leg against PSV Eindhoven on March 4. Whether White’s return to action will extend to international duty under Tuchel remains to be seen.