Cesc Fabregas says Ben White is in a small group of players who are not completely devoted to the sport, but believes his decision should be 'respected' after the Arsenal defender opted out of England selection.
White being chosen for England's upcoming friendly matches against Brazil and Belgium, having left the Three Lions team during the Qatar World Cup.
The 26-year-old has been one of Arsenal's most reliable players this season – making 39 appearances in all competitions – and was recently given a new four-year contract.
White has denied accusations that he does not like football but acknowledges that he has less interest beyond playing and training and seldom watches games.
Fabregas thinks that 'only five percent' of players share White's attitude but insists he encountered 'plenty of guys' who have a similar perspective during his successful 20-year career.
'I think it's the society we live in at the moment. And I go back again to what I always say it's all about the money,' Fabregas said on the Planet Premier League podcast when asked about White's situation.
'Footballers get paid a lot of money. And it feels like they should all be focusing on football, no matter what. And they should be an example for everything, and you cannot make mistakes.
'Every error is being punished, double or triple a normal human-being. It's the life we are in. One that we have to accept, one that we need to carry on our shoulders. And that's it.
'I know plenty of guys, and of course, I will not mention names, that they finish training sessions and they just want to go home because they don't really love football.
'They love playing football, they really enjoy it, the competition. They are competitors, they are winners. They like the moment, that hour and a half, two hours of being there.
'But after that, they don't watch football. They don't want anything to do with football.
'It is unusual. It is not something that happens very often. Maybe only five percent of the players are like that. But it is what it is, and we have to respect it.'
It has been reported that White fell out with England boss Gareth Southgate's assistant Steve Holland during the Qatar World Cup in 2022.
By making himself unavailable for the upcoming friendly matches at Wembley, White can fully recharge before the intense final phase of the Premier League as Arsenal pursue their first title in 20 years.
The Gunners, who finished five points behind champions Manchester City last season, sit top on goal difference with ten games remaining.
Arsenal have become genuine contenders for the title over the past two seasons under Mikel Arteta, who joined the Gunners shortly after Fabregas left the club as a player.
'Arsenal were immersed into a big mess,' Fabregas said of the period before Arteta took over as manager.
'I think there were too many people talking. There was a lot of toxicity, I would say, within the club, around the club. He just came in, he had an idea, he had his methodology, his style of play, and he put it all together.
‘He had the courage – even though he’s a young coach – to bring it all together and to say, ‘okay this is the expectations, this is what I want to do.
‘I think he keeps repeating the words – if I’m not mistaken, in press conferences – he talks about intentions, character, running, standards.
‘Diligent individuals, young individuals that really want to play for the badge, be there for the club, help the club grow, and I think this is what he changed, the mindset.
‘He removed all this negativity around the club that was harming the players, the managers, and he’s done really well. I think this is the biggest achievement he’s done.’
Arsenal confront their most important game of the season immediately after the international break as they visit defending champions and title rivals Manchester City on March 30.
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