The defender marked his 200th appearance for Arsenal by setting up Gabriel Magalhães’s second-half header in the 2-0 win over Everton. With England manager Thomas Tuchel watching from the Emirates Stadium, White also made clear he is eager to return to the national side. The victory also kept Arsenal level with Manchester City at the top.
“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 told Football London when asked about a possible November call-up.
Speaking after the Everton match, he described the milestone as a source of pride.
“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. I think I had four years on the bounce at different teams. So to come here and be here this long, and play that many games, it's a really nice feeling.”
White had been linked with a move away during the summer, with Everton among the clubs reportedly interested. Instead, he focused on recovering from the medial collateral ligament injury sustained against West Ham United in May, which kept him out of the Champions League final and the World Cup.
“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.”
He admitted the moment of injury had been difficult to process.
“It was tough. 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.
“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.”
Arsenal also have Jurrien Timber available at right-back, giving Mikel Arteta the option to rotate two players who have both struggled with fitness. White believes that competition can benefit them both.
“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. 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.”