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Which Arsenal Players Will Star For England At The World Cup?

By on April 9, 2014

The 2014 World Cup is just around the corner so I thought I’d take a look at which Gunner’s players could be picked for England and what sort of impact they might have in Brazil.

While the die-hard fans are already dreaming about winning the competition, England have been handed a tough task just to get out of the group stages after being drawn in Group D along with Uruguay, Costa Rica and of course Italy. Everyone will expect to beat Costa Rica but it’s difficult to separate the other three teams.

England are currently odds-on with the bookmakers to miss out on qualification from the group and as we’re regular bottlers on the big occasion, it’s no wonder. I love to gamble and will certainly be having a flutter during the World Cup but I’ll be doing a lot of research before I wager any of my hard-earned cash on England, and I’d recommend anyone should check out World Cup Group D Betting Tips before parting with their money.

To be fair, the Three Lions could have a decent chance of surprising a few people if Roy Hodgson has the balls to take some risks and play the in-form players over those with ‘reputations’, but that could spell bad news for some Arsenal players:

Jack Wilshere

Jack is facing a race against time to get himself fit again and prove to Hodgson that he deserves to not only start in midfield, but even have a place in the 23-man squad.

Let’s be honest, Jack hasn’t enjoyed a great season overall. His career has been severely interrupted by a number of serious injuries and this season has been no different. He has still managed 28 starts in all competitons but he just hasn’t managed to string together a decent run of games without picking up a knock, so we haven’t seen the best of him this year.

When he’s fit and on his game, there are few better in Europe in his position, but time will tell whether he’s able to get match fit and persuade the England staff he warrants a place in the team. If he’s fit, I still think Hodgson will pick him in the squad, no question, but with Jordan Henderson performing so well alongside Steven Gerrard at Liverpool, the England boss might just decide to go with the same pairing in the middle at international level, which would see Wilshere resigned to a bench role.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

The Ox missed the first half of the season through injury but it means he’s fresh and has been in good form of late. His versatility makes him a valuable asset as he can play in central midfield, on the left or right wing and in the ‘hole’. I personally think his best position right now is on the wing but many feel his long-term role will be in the middle.

But for England this summer, I think he’ll be a winger and he has a good chance of starting. Theo Walcott is set to miss the tournament with a knee injury, Andros Townsend can’t get a game for Spurs so will be lucky to even be in the squad and Aaron Lennon is useless. Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling are likely to contest the left-wing spot, so if Hodgson has a go this summer and plays attackers on the wings, I can see The Ox getting some game-time on the right, but if Hodgson goes defensive I think we’ll see a lot of James Milner!

Theo Walcott

Unfortunately, Theo will miss the World Cup after suffering a rupture to his knee ligament back in January. He would have been nailed on to make the squad and probably would have started on the right wing, possibly ahead of Chamberlain, but sadly he’ll be watching from home like the rest of us.

Kieran Gibbs

Gibbsy is unlikely to make the squad for the World Cup as he’s got the likes of Leighton Baines, Ashley Cole and even Luke Shaw ahead of him in the pecking order. Left-back is undoubtedly England’s strongest position as a player of Gibbs’ quality hardly gets a look in. So unless a couple of his rivals pick up injuries, it looks like Kieran will be joining his pal Theo in staying back in North London this summer.

So of our England nationals it looks like The Ox might have the best chance of making a positive impact this summer, unless Wilshere can get himself 100% fit and force his way into the starting line-up.