“Don’t expect any respect from anyone” - Jamie O’Hara slams ‘top’ player at Arsenal over controversial decision
Jamie O'Hara has laid into Arsenal star Ben White for consistently rejecting international duty over the past two years. The pundit insists that he has no respect for the English right-back.
White last featured for the Three Lions in 2022 when he left midway through the FIFA World Cup due to personal reasons. The 26-year-old missed the 2024 European Championships as well and has now sat out England's Nations League camp this international break.
O'Hara feels any footballer should aspire to play for their national team and is baffled by White's decision to snub international duty. Speaking on talkSPORT, he said about the Arsenal defender (via TBR Football):
"He doesn’t want to play for England, who cares. You don’t want to represent your nation, then fine. No problem. But don’t expect any respect from anyone. He doesn’t want to play for his country. I respect it (his decision not to play for England). I don’t respect him. He is entitled to do what he wants, but I don’t respect him."
The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder added:
"How can you not want to play for your country? It’s the highest pinnacle of your career. If you love the game and you love football, everything about it is – ‘can I play for England?’ It has been in the past (his ambition to play for England)."
Arsenal will next face Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday (15 September).
Jamie O'Hara tells Arsenal star Ben White international duty is 'part and parcel of your career'
Jamie O'Hara insists that going away on international duty is part and parcel of any footballer's career as he went on to criticize Ben White for his decision.
The pundit brought up England interim boss Lee Carsley's name while emphasizing the glory one would feel playing for their national team. He said in the aforementioned interview on talkSPORT:
“As a footballer, that is part and parcel of your career, being away from your family, as Lee Carsley said, he hardly sees his family, but he understands the glory and satisfaction you get from walking out with your country."
He added, insisting that White has enough time after he hangs up his boots to spend time with his family:
"He plays for Arsenal. Everyone else is on international duty. He is going into an empty training camp or he goes away and has four days with your family. You can do that for 20 years after you retire."
"I don’t respect that he doesn’t want to represent his nation. He is a top football player – it is a big story and a big talking point.”
Ben White has registered 137 appearances for Arsenal, contributing six goals and 10 assists.