Ben White eases Arsenal concern as club plots succession plan in key position

Arsenal may not be in Premier League action until March 31 but there is still plenty of news concerning the Gunners for supporters to get their teeth stuck into.

Mikel Arteta's side rounded off their end to a relentless recent schedule by defeating Brentford 2-1 at the Emirates last weekend to move top of the Premier League, just days before securing their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2010.

Although it is nearly three weeks until the Gunners will next be in action, visiting Etihad in a crucial Premier League fixture, here is the latest news surrounding Arsenal.

England manager Gareth Southgate has admitted he was left confused by Ben White's decision not to make himself available for international selection.

The 26-year-old, who signed a new long-term contract with the Gunners on Thursday, has been one of the Gunners' best players this season, pivotal in Arteta's side's strong positions in the Premier League and Champions League.

However, just hours after White had signed that deal, Southgate revealed that Arsenal officials had been in contact with senior England figures to inform them that the right-back didn't want to be considered for selection for this month's internationals against Brazil and Belgium.

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Speaking to the media on Thursday, Southgate said: «You'd have to speak to him or Arsenal to get an understanding of that. But everybody's wired differently, and look we have to respect that. There's clearly a reason. But I don't know the full reason.»

He added: «We've explained to Arsenal we were going to do that. And if you make