This year we will see the first ever Winter World Cup, bang in the middle of the Premier League calendar.
It will be fascinating to see how managers and players juggle the schedule.
Will we get to early November and talent are playing clearly with one eye on Qatar?
Will January and Feb see a raft of injuries?
Does this pressure owners to invest more in their squads?
As most nations wind down their fixtures and have a break for the summer, I thought it be fun to look at some of the Gunners who might be on show at the 2022 World Cup.
England
Ramsdale in my opinion should be number one but that would have happened by now if Southgate was planning to change his keeper for November.
Our goalie and Saka are surely on the plane?
White should be if the manager continues to play a back three.
He’s claimed if the tournament was tomorrow, he would know the majority of his squad.
Smith Rowe might need a strong start to the season because there is serious competition in the position he plays.
USA
Matt Turner Announced in January will be a Gunner this summer.
Played whole career in America.
Will start as our number 2 but Europa League and Carabao Cup early rounds will give him game time in preparation for the World Cup.
Mexico
Arsenal’s 18-year-old has a big reputation.
Marcel Flores is yet play a senior game for us but has been trusted to be on the bench a couple of times.
Recently ended hope he would play for England or Canada by coming on as a sub for Mexico against Chile.
With 5 months to go, Mexico are keeping an eye on the teenager but no reason to rush him.
France
Arsenal used to have a proud history of being represented by some of the French finest.
This time it’s Saliba who is the most likely sole Gunner to participate for Les Bleus.
Bear in mind everything the defender has done to impress the media in his country has not been in an Arsenal shirt.
His nation are bemused how a Centre back who can get in the Ligue one team of the season and deemed good enough for the World Champions, can’t break into the worst Arsenal team in decades.
Competition for players is a high standard so might come down to how much Arteta plays him.
Portugal
Cedric is back in the Portugal set up after time away. Would be a reliable squad player who you can trust to do a job.
Zero reason to rush Tavares into the senior side.
Japan
Tomiyasu is thought of highly in Japan, even captaining the side.
While he plays mostly on the right for us, has been asked at times to play in the middle for his country.
The big question mark is can he stay fit in what a gruelling schedule will be the next few months
Belgium
Capped once in 2021, Lokonga’s reputation has probably gone backwards since he moved to London.
A loan move might get him more playing time but even then, I think it’s an outside chance he plays at the World Cup
Brazil
Our two Gabriel’s should play enough from now till November to be in the squad, if not the starting line-up.
If either play, could become the tournament’s break out stars.
Switzerland
Xhaka divides opinion at the Emirates but is adored in his country.
Their captain, with over 100 caps, will be playing at his third World Cup.
Ghana
Partey plays as long as he can stay fit.
Arteta might feel either side of the World Cup he needs to manage his game time.
If you believe their FA, Eddie Nketiah will be playing for the Black Stars come November.
Is there any other Gunner you think can break into their international squads?
Who do you think will steal the show?
Be Kind in the comments
Dan
Marcelo Flores has got three caps, without playing a single minute in EPL. This shows his incredible talent, which is hopefully not ruined by making him an RW
He could’nt have done that as an english player.
Yeah, I guess that’s why he chose Mexico over England. I bet he’d be Canada’s main attacker, but the team is generally weaker than Mexico
You think he’d be ahead of Alphonso Davies and Jonathon David? Wow.
Alphonso Davies is primarily a fullback and Jonathan David is a CF, whereas Marcelo Flores often plays in LW and CAM positions
No. Davies plays much higher up the pitch for Canada.
People say it’s easy to get capped by “bad” national teams which isn’t entirely true. National team coaches rarely promote youngsters to the men’s team unless they are absolutely up for it no matter which national team we’re talking about.
Barcelona B only has one player on a men’s national team. Same goes for Man City U23 (Bazunu) and Chelsea U23 (Broja). Ajax U21 has none. And all these teams have a lot of players from “bad” national teams.
We have Hein, Ballard, Flores and Rekik! Hutchinson might soon follow if he chooses Jamaica. We shouldn’t overlook this feat. Our youth team looks promising.
Yup, I’m also amazed by our Hale End products. I wish we promote Hein and Okonkwo next season, instead of signing Turner
Hutchinson has got to be patient. I think he’ll get promoted to compete with Odegaard next season
I’m sure city have sold Bazunu to Southampton
All of the players mentioned in Dan’s article should make their nations squads with some of them first choice and regular starters. I think there’s still a chance for Sambi & Emile if they can show some return to form. When did we last have two goalkeepers involved in the same tournament (Ospina & Cech maybe)?
Ramsdale should be England No 1. Pickford has a mistake in him Ramsdale less so.
Guendouzi has been called up by France and unless the deal has gone through is still technically an Arsenal player. I think he will progress to be one of the best midfielders in the world and like a long list before him, we will not make any money from him. Bought him for £7mil selling him for £9mil, which is a negligible profit considering after 6months of first joining us he was valued at £45mil. Why do we continuously let great talent go for nothing? Gnabry, Ozil, Wilshere, Ramsey, Guendouzi, Lacazette etc etc even Sanchez went for pennies compared to what we should have got for him. I don’t know…
zero point including him as they have triggered the clause so it will be official soon
Ramsdale start ahead of Pickford? Is that a joke or what? Did you watch Pickford this past season? Man turned into a beast in front of Goal. He single handedly saved Everton’s ass from relegation. Not just his saves watch his all round goal keeping. Ramsdale should sit on the bench and learn from Pickford. What an underrated Keeper just like DeGea.
Do y’all think National football is club football? You’re saying Ramsdale who doesn’t have up to 4 Caps whose first start came in a 10-0 win against San Marino should go into the World Cup being England’s No 1. Funny. Ahead of Pickford who as far back as September 2021 had about 40 caps and 20 clean sheet. Been at the goal to a World Cup semi Final and European cup final. No way Ramsdale usurps him for now except Pickford massively flops this coming season. We tend to over hype our players too much. This is the national team not club football. No matter the form Abraham is in he’ll still be benched by any half thinking coach for Kane. Currently is always going to be Pickford over Ramsdale.
Wonderfully said Chapo
Can you concede 66 goals and be a beast ?
He had a few good games near end of season but was equally part of team who got themselves into trouble
Yes he was part of the team but he is the reason they didn’t get relegated. Let’s do a swap, put Ramsdale behind that defense and Pickford behind Arsenal’s and let’s see how many Ramsdale will concede. Dan we are talking about international football here and Pickford is head and shoulders above our Ramsdale
But equally part of the reason they struggled ?