COMMENT: He's telling us... it's hiding in plain sight. All the mystery around Ben White's refusal to accept England selection can now be solved thanks to Arsenal...

So the latest is that White has again turned down a call from Gareth Southgate, the England coach. The decision coming after staying out of the loop ever since he flew out of Doha and England's World Cup campaign a good 15 months ago.

Back then, Southgate refused to offer any reason for White's decision, just as he did on Thursday. Instead, in that passive-aggressive way of his, the Three Lions coach insisted he was trying to "protect the player" by refusing to offer any type explanation - even from his point of view - as to why White remains steadfast in not accepting an England call.

Inevitably - and Southgate knows this - the vacuum will now be filled with all sorts of online speculation. The press, the opinion makers, will also have their pop. They already are. And White and family will have to endure another period - just as they did post-Qatar - of holding their tongue, not reacting and dodging the flak.

At Arsenal, they've tried to offset the backlash. The story goes, after Edu, the club's technical director, put in his call to his FA counterpart John McDermott to explain White's decision, Arsenal's media team went into overdrive. The timing of that new contract announcement, at least according to some press circles, was no coincidence. Knowing Southgate would declare White a no-show for the friendlies against Brazil and Belgium, Arsenal brought forward news of White's fresh contract extension. The decision driven by the hope that the announcement would soften the expected backlash from Southgate's claims.

As conspiracies go. In terms of considered speculation. It's not bad, is it? 3...? No, let's make it 4 out of 5 as a conspiracy theory...

But this column reckons we can go further - because as they were announcing White's new contract, the club's media team were re-publishing a long-form interview with the player at the very same time. And in that interview, White - now famously (or infamously depending on your opinion) - stated he'd sooner be out gardening with his Dad than watching football. Indeed, he admits he finds the game "boring" as a spectator sport.

“If it (football) was on when I was a kid," stated White, "after five minutes I'd get bored of it and go outside to play football instead. I didn't really watch it, I'd much rather do it. Even now, I don't watch football really. I watch my own clips, and my own footage to help me improve, but I wouldn't watch a game for fun."

So while neither White nor Southgate will offer reason for the player's decision, could it be that Arsenal's media team have done the work for them? Could his decision to have left Qatar halfway through a World Cup be simply that White could not stand being designated a permanent football 'fan' for the tournament?

Okay, okay, we are downplaying the mooted row with Steve Holland, Southgate's No2, and the perceived unwillingness of White to snap his long sulk as he was left on the bench during those group games. But there is something in White's lack of enthusiasm for the game which is a contributor - and just as with England - it could work against him further into this new deal he's just signed.

First, we want to say that White's decision and his approach to the game is his prerogative. If it's not for him, then so be it. Clearly in terms of his club career, it's worked for him up until now.

But does this attitude also stretch to teammates? Is White one to stay after training to take in a youth game? To lend his support to Mehmet Ali's U21s or Jack Wilshere's U18s? Or would he ever take in a Swansea City London away game on an off weekend to support teammate Charles Sagoe Jr - just as Guglielmo Vicario did when buying a ticket to see fellow Tottenham goalkeeper Josh Keeley in loan action for Barnet? The answer, on current evidence, is a 'no' on both fronts.

And while it's nothing earth-shattering, it is a missed opportunity, both for himself and the club. An opportunity to further strengthen the culture inside London Colney. To strengthen his status as a role-model. And simply to confirm himself as a good senior teammate.

Ben White isn't obligated to explain his attitude towards England. Nor explain his lack of enthusiasm for the game. But not forcing himself to find a way to enjoy football will inevitably catch up to him. It already has at international level. And in time his club game, unless he changes, will be next.