White eyes England return and reflects on 'tough' injury battle

Ben White has made it clear he wants back into Thomas Tuchel's England plans, declaring he would be "over the moon" with a November call up after a bright start to the season at Arsenal.

White assisted Gabriel Magalhaes' header in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Everton on Saturday, a match that also doubled as his 200th appearance for the club. Reflecting on the milestone, White said: "It's creeped up, creeped up slowly. It's amazing to play 200 games for this club. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

The 29 year old was linked with a summer exit after suffering a significant MCL injury in May that ruled him out of the Champions League final and forced him to miss the World Cup. Everton were reportedly among the clubs keen on signing him, but White insisted leaving Arsenal was never really on the table, choosing instead to spend the summer working his way back to fitness.

"I literally trained every day over the summer. I didn't really have a break, that was my aim," he said. "With that injury as well, it's not just three months, it's like, I still catch it now. It takes a long time, but it is all good now. It feels good."

White and Timber both fit at the same time

For the first time in a while, Arsenal have both of their first choice right backs, White and Jurrien Timber, available together, something White believes could benefit both players after injury troubles disrupted their recent seasons.

"Obviously it has been different, because either me or JT has been injured. It's always been, you have to play, you have to play," he explained. "Now, it's a different moment. We can actually get some rest as well. I am sure you will see the best versions of each of us."

Opening up on the injury

Tuchel was present at the Emirates Stadium to watch the win over Everton, and White used the opportunity to address his international future after missing England's most recent squad through a groin injury. Asked directly if he's targeting a November recall, White replied: "Yeah, definitely; it is an amazing feeling playing for England. It's like nothing else. If that does happen, I'll be absolutely over the moon."

White was booed by sections of the Wembley crowd during his last England outing in March, a 1-1 friendly draw with Uruguay in which he scored and conceded a penalty. He also gave an emotional account of the moment he suffered his knee injury during Arsenal's 1-0 win at West Ham in May.

"As soon as I did it, I knew. I have had little things like that before and I kind of digested it walking around the pitch," he said. "It was that quick, really. I knew that was going to be me for the season and I had a little cry on the way round. That was it, once I got in I was focused on trying to recover and get back."

With his fitness restored and a clean sheet secured against Everton, attention now turns to whether Tuchel includes White in his next England squad.