Will Arsenal's England quartet make the Qatar 2022 squad?

Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka

Will Arsenal's England quartet make the Qatar 2022 squad?

By Oscar Maung-Haley

On the back of a trio of Arsenal players starring for England in recent times, we take a look at whether Aaron Ramsdale, Benjamin White, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe will make it to Qatar 2022 as part of Gareth Southgate’s travelling contingent for next year’s FIFA World Cup.

The Three Lions booked their spot out to the Middle East with a 10-0 thumping of San Marino, but which Gunners will be on the plane?

Aaron Ramsdale


There was always a chance Ramsdale was going to make the Qatar 2022 squad by virtue of being one of the few big-name English goalkeepers in the Premier League.

And when it comes to Qatar 2022, he will also most certainly be in the squad barring injury.

However, if you’d said he be in with a shot at starting in Qatar, many would have baulked at the idea.

Since his summer move from Sheffield United, Ramsdale has been nothing short of spectacular for Mikel Arteta’s side.

And it’s easy to see why. He oozes confidence, can play out from the back, communicates well and is a more than capable shot-stopper.

Jordan Pickford holds the No.1 jersey right now, and in an England shirt has given Southgate no reason to look elsewhere.

Southgate has tended to trust those who have performed for him and Pickford has produced when asked.

However, should Ramsdale continue his strong league form, he could push the Everton shot-stopper for the No.1 shirt at the World Cup.

VERDICT: YES

Aaron Ramsdale

Benjamin White


It’s safe to say the start of the season gave a lot of Arsenal fans cause for concern when it came to Benjamin White’s performances.

The centre-back, signed for £50m from Brighton & Hove Albion, produced what can only be described as a string of ‘disaster-class’ performances in the opening string of Premier League games for the Gunners, but has since settled into a life at the Emirates.

So, how could White find his way into the England squad?

Well, he’s versatile and you need that at tournaments – White can play in a back three and a back four, and is comfortable playing out of defence and in midfield.

This means that White is capable and comfortable with playing different styles and the ability to do so could be invaluable for Southgate, given what seems to be his preference to play with a back three and wing-backs.

Will he make it? He’ll have to keep up his performances to stay on the radar.

VERDICT: MAYBE

Benjamin White and Bukayo Saka

Bukayo Saka


Bukayo Saka is an absolute certainty to make the World Cup squad.

Since his emergence for the Gunners, the impressive youngster has gone on to become an integral part of Southgate’s England set-up.

At just 20-years-old, he’s already won 14 England caps, scoring four goals in the process.

And like White, he’s versatile too. He can play on the right wing, or as a left wing-back. 

The fact that he can play the latter of the two positions at such a young age and not have anyone worry too much about his defensive nous is testament to his quality.

Saka will 100 per cent (barring injury) be on the plane.

VERDICT: YES

Emile Smith Rowe


And finally, we turn to Arsenal’s hottest prospect right now - the man of the moment, Emile Smith Rowe.

While last season might have been his first regular season of senior action, this season has almost certainly been his true breakthrough campaign.

The 21-year-old made his England debut against Albania in a 5-0 drubbing off the bench, before starting against San Marino, getting on the scoresheet in the rampant victory.

So far this season, he’s found the back of the next five times in all competitions for the Gunners too, showing his increasing knack for goalscoring.

However, it should be noted that Smith Rowe has only just made his way into the England squad - and even then, it was due to an injury withdrawal.

England have an abundance of quality midfielders right now - Jack Grealish, Mason Mount and Phil Foden are all ahead of the Arsenal youngster in the pecking order.

The sky is the limit for Smith Rowe, and he’ll continue to get better and better.

But Qatar could come just a year too soon for him to break into the senior squad for a major tournament.

VERDICT: MAYBE BUT FACES AN UPHILL BATTLE

Photo credit: Getty Images

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