Arsenal defender Ben White is now firmly back in the England fold under Thomas Tuchel and has his sights set on playing a major role after missing the World Cup this summer

Ben White revealed missing the last World Cup left him in tears.

The Arsenal defender, 29, is famed for quitting the England camp in Qatar in 2022. But White’s reaction to missing out last summer through injury paints a very different picture of a player who insists it is still his dream to play for his country in a major tournament.

White was exiled from the England set-up for four years until Thomas Tuchel brought him back in March, only for injury to ruin his chances of going to the United States.

“It was one I had to process quickly. And get my head around as I knew I would not be ready,” he said. “So I had a cry around the pitch when it happened and focused on my career.

“I've been obviously around it and not quite put my foot in the door in these big games. And yeah, it's definitely something I want to do and be involved in for sure.”

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White says he still “won’t go into detail” about what happened in Qatar but says he would probably make the same decision again.

Former England boss Gareth Southgate always played down any bust-up with his assistant Steve Holland being the sole reason for White flying home in 2022. But Southgate did go public further down the line when he said that White had made himself unavailable for England and had snubbed a recall. Clearly, the defender has returned to the international fold under new boss Tuchel.

“There were loads of things that happened and communication wasn't great,” said White. “I don't want to throw anyone under the bus; a lot of people try to do that to me so it's something I don't want to do myself.

“I was a bit younger. Obviously, I'm a bit older now. I think, as a person, I'm quite real, and I think I made the decision that I would probably continue to make.

“I think just people don't know the full story, and because I've never said anything or share any of that because I think it's probably the best way. But it's obviously amazing to be here now.”

And now the slate is clear for White and he is a regular for Arsenal, can play right back and centre half and he is now looking to the future and playing under Tuchel.

White said: “Yeah, obviously, an amazing privilege to be called up, and the feeling is the same every time when you do get this chance to play for England and one I'm really looking forward to this week.

“Yes, even until now, the manager’s communication is amazing. He's always in contact, and I think a manager that you really want to play for, that you want to give everything to, and someone that I think understands the level that it needs to be.

“It's been obviously amazing for me. Such a privilege to ever get close to playing for your country, something I probably didn't even dream of because I didn't think it would be any anywhere near my reality.

“So yeah, there's been a few bumps, and obviously here now, and looking forward to this story continuing.”

It is fair to say that - somewhat refreshingly - White is not a standard footballer. He is a bit different and maybe that has led to some misunderstandings.

Not least because of those now famous comments about him not liking football - or rather like watching football. We just assume every footballer will love the game and is playing out our dreams.

But White insists he has no regrets saying it. “To be fair, I don't. I don't know if I actually said I don't like it because people say I don't like football, which is obviously not true.

“It's because I don't watch it, which I think is quite normal for someone that does a job and then doesn't go home and then continue watching that job. But I think it's my way of release from the game because it's so intense, obviously.”

White also insists he has no problem with England fans booing him, though he also says that if supporters “knew the full story” then they might change their mind on giving him stick.

White quit the England squad in Qatar in 2022 and was left out in the cold until Thomas Tuchel brought him back for two World Cup warm-up friendlies last March.

After walking away in 2022, he was booed on his first appearance for the national team since his departure during a friendly against Uruguay, where he both scored and conceded a penalty.

White told the BBC: “I think before the game, I was thinking, just don't not stand out, but just nice and easy, you know. Then I came on and obviously get booed. Then I score. Then I give away a pen. So it was obviously full of emotions that night, and it was a good night.

“Everyone can do whatever they want. Booing is fine. You know, it's fine with me. Whatever they want to do, and I think just think about maybe not knowing the full story. And if they did, maybe they wouldn’t.”