Thomas Tuchel has explained why he did not call up a ‘fantastic’ Arsenal star to his England squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures.
The Three Lions boss named his first squad since the World Cup heartbreak on Friday, with several surprise inclusions and omissions.
Five Arsenal stars have been called up to the squad – Ezri Konsa, Myles Lewis-Skelly, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka – more than any other club.
But it could have been more, with World Cup star Noni Madueke dropped, while Ben White has failed to make the cut.
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The defender, who had made himself unavailable for selection under Sir Gareth Southgate, returned to the national team in March but missed out on the World Cup through injury.
However, Tuchel has revealed that he planned to call up White for the September/October games but an injury issue with the 28-year-old has prevented him from doing so.
‘Ben pulled out with an injury,’ Tuchel said in his press conference on Friday.
‘[He’s had a] fantastic start to the season with Arsenal. He was back to his very best on the [right] side as a pair with Bukayo Saka which could be very valuable for us.
‘But unfortunately he was not available for the World Cup and he is not available now. It is unfortunately a bit of a story with Ben that in the decisive moments, the moments we do the call-ups, he’s not available.’
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Curiously, Tuchel’s comments come just after Mikel Arteta said he was confident that White was fit enough to play in Arsenal’s Premier League clash against Brighton on Saturday.
England squad for September/October 2026
Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Jason Steele (Brighton), James Trafford (Leeds United)
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Real Madrid), Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Trevoh Chalobah (Como), Marc Guehi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle), Ezri Konsa (Arsenal), Tino Livramento (Newcastle), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Manchester City), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Alex Scott (Bournemouth)
Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Rio Ngumoha (Liverpool), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), Morgan Rogers (Chelsea), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
The England manager also said Reece James was left out because of injury, despite Xabi Alonso saying the Chelsea captain could yet play on Friday night against Brentford.
Instead of White and James, Tuchel has selected Newcastle’s Tino Livramento and Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold as his main right-back options.
Alexander-Arnold’s call-up is a surprise given the former Liverpool defender has hardly played for England since the German took the reins last year.
‘He was never off the list, he was never non-selectable for us and it is his chance to show, come to camp and be the best version of himself,’ Tuchel added.
‘He had a good start in two positions for Real Madrid and he comes as a right-back for us.
‘[He needs to] Perform, that’s just what it is. It is a competition and I understand the question because he was not with us at the World Cup. We trusted other players.
‘I still stick with this decision and it is now time to fight for his place. He always said he is up for a fight, he always said he is up to fight for his place, especially for England so it is on him to prove and he is more than welcome in camp. We have a long camp and I am sure he will show up.’
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