Ex-Brighton and Leeds star breaks silence for first time since quitting England's Qatar World Cup squad due to 'personal reasons'

The defender flew home from the Three Lions’ training camp in Al Wakrah early due to ‘personal reasons’ on November 30 – just days before England’s round of 16 clash with African champions Senegal.

The 25-year-old did not feature in England’s first two Group B matches against Iran and the United States, and missed the Three Lions’ 3-0 win over Wales through illness.

The Arsenal defender did not travel with his Gunner teammates to their warm weather camp in Dubai on Sunday, December 3, but has since returned to Mikel Arteta’s squad as they gear up for the return of the Premier League on Boxing Day.

White took to Instagram to post ‘We back baby’, with the caption accompanying photos of him training in gym. The defender’s post made no reference as to why he left England’s camp early.

White, who moved to Arsenal from Brighton for £50m in 2021, was included in Gareth Southgate’s 26-man squad for Qatar following an impressive start to the campaign with the Gunners.

The centre-half, who also enjoyed loan spells at Leeds United, Peterborough United and Newport County while at Brighton, was at his second major tournament with the Three Lions, having been included in the squad that reached last summer’s European Championship final.

The defender did not make an appearance during the tournament and has only won two caps since, taking his overall tally to four.