WHAT A pleasure it is to be asked for my thoughts on Arsenal providing four players for the England squad announced by Gareth Southgate last week.
It has been a fair few years since the likes of Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were in and round the international scene simultaneously and I cannot imagine the last time my team contributed four to a squad.
Bukayo Saka should be a cert to start for Gareth Southgate’s EnglandCredit: Getty
In part, this is easily explained by the lack of English first teamers in the later Arsene Wenger era.
But, if we’re honest, perhaps even those who were looked at, such as Kieran Gibbs, Calum Chambers, Dean Holding and let us not forget Carl Jenkinson, were not truly international class.
How different then in 2022 to be an Arsenal fan, not only proud to have four of our own in the squad, but even more that two of them, Saka and Smith-Rowe were produced at Hale End.
It is desperately sad for Aaron Ramsdale to pick up a minor injury that has caused him to drop out.
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He must have felt he would have had a chance to show why he might be considered as a viable alternative to Jordan Pickford.
The Everton keeper has been consistent for his country, but his club form must have shaken his confidence, so vital in that position.
Confidence is certainly not a quality one would ever accuse Ramsdale of being short of, and with Nick Pope really not being required to play out from the back too often for Burnley, I am sure Arsenal’s No.1 will soon be England’s too.
On current form, and I doubt even the most ardent Gooner would have suggested this a year ago, Saka must be now considered nailed on to start for Southgate.
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With Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish sharing the left flank for Man City, and Phil Foden playing centrally, I would be astonished if the national team coach does not see Arsenal’s most consistent player as a go to player now.
Saka might have surprised non-Arsenal fans with his scintillating displays in the Euros last summer, but he has taken his whole game to another level this campaign.
He is stronger, smarter, making the right on-field decisions consistently and has added more goals.
It is also worth noting that the Arsenal talisman has raised his game despite the disappointment of the penalty miss last summer, while Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford have suffered seemingly and neither have made this squad.
Emile Smith Rowe is our most recently capped player, and he has retained his place in Southgate’s thinking ahead of the two more experienced United players mentioned, despite not starting regularly for the Gunners.
I see his position as very similar to that of Saka last season. Perhaps for England, as he is for Arsenal, he is currently seen as an ideal impact substitute.
Like his friend and teammate, able to come on for England, on the left, right, in central midfield as a ball carrier or as a 10 if needed.
WHITE HOT
The really interesting one however, is Ben White, called up as a Brighton player as a late replacement last summer, but now back in as a Gunner.
And he has a real claim to the right central defensive role.
After a baptism of fire for his new club, against Ivan Toney, many pundits queried his £50m price tag, but he has now settled into a fabulous partnership for Arsenal with Gabriel.
It is hard to think of a performance in 2022 from the likeable young man that has been less than an 8/10.
He has proved far better in the air than many believed, shows fabulous anticipation and game reading, which invariably means he is well positioned for interceptions and challenges.
Crucially for Southgate of course is his ability to either pass accurately from his defensive position, short or long but also how comfortable he is carrying the ball out when the opportunity presents itself.
The real problem for the England boss is that Tyrone Mings is his only left footed central defender, and when fit he has opted to play Harry Maguire on the left ahead of the Villa skipper.
Conor Coady is the other option, who is usually selected when Southgate plays with three, a system in which the Wolves captain excels at.
On the right in a two, the go to player partner has been John Stones, who seldom lets his country down.
However, the simple facts are that Stones has only featured in 11 Premier League matches for Man City, and that might make the step up to international football tough at this time.
It is for this reason that I fully expect to see White given a start in at least one of the upcoming matches, and on current form, and with his confidence sky high, I believe he will grasp his chance to shine.
There is an excellent chance for all four Gunners, if their form and improvement continue on the same trajectory, to be involved in the World Cup.
