Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has expressed concerns over Ben White’s decision to leave the England squad.
White has starred for the Gunners at right-back in the first 14 games of the Premier League season and was expected to bring his club form to the world stage in Qatar.
However, after not featuring in England’s opening two matches the 25-year-old mysteriously left the England camp prematurely due to “personal reasons” and returned to England.
It has since been claimed that White’s departure from the England squad stemmed from a fall-out with a member of the Three Lions coaching staff.
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Other reports have alleged that the player struggled to fully integrate with the squad off the pitch and felt unhappy in Qatar as a result.
While the true reason for White’s departure is unknown Arsenal and France legend Petit admitted he was surprised by what took place.
“Very weird”
Petit, who won the double for Arsenal and the World Cup in 1998, has expressed concern about how White will bounce back from his peculiar England departure.
Petit told Mega Casion, as quoted by the Metro: “Ben White… What happened to him was really weird.
“He left the national team because he had an argument with someone? Come on, it’s a World Cup!
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime event. If something happened, it must have been very serious for him to leave.
“We all know what it means to wear the national shirt. How will his state of mind be?
“Will he be the same player after he took the big decision to leave the England squad? Will he get a nasty reception when he plays in away stadiums?
“This is unprecedented in the history of football and I have no idea what will happen when the teams go back.”
Chris Byfield