Despite being one of the biggest clubs in the country, Arsenal have not always been a great source of significant England internationals.
In fact, before Mikel Arteta took over, there was a point when no players from the club were in an entire international squad, a situation Per Mertesacker described as “a failure.”
Fortunately, the situation today is entirely different, with Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice being some of the most critical players in the Three Lions’ starting lineup and the likes of Noni Madueke and Myles Lewis-Skelly likely to make it to the World Cup next summer.
Moreover, there will almost certainly be more Arsenal players who become stars for the country in the coming years, including one who has been compared to Jack Wilshere.
How Saka did this international break
It’s been a bit of a stop-start season for Saka so far this year, as he missed the last international break and three club games due to another hamstring injury he picked up against Leeds United.
Fortunately, he appears to be getting back to his very best, as he followed up goals against Olympiacos and West Ham United with another impressive international break for England.
Thomas Tuchel opted to start him on the right in the friendly against Wales last week, and to say he repaid the German’s faith would be an understatement.
Just 20 minutes in, the Hale Ender scored the sides’ third goal, whipping the ball into the far corner with real venom.
On top of that, he played a key pass, won 50% of his duels, was accurate with 87% of his passes and took 48 touches, which just goes to show that he can offer far more than just goals.
Off the back of this showing, the manager kept the 24-year-old in the starting lineup for the World Cup qualifier away to Latvia.
While he didn’t get on the scoresheet in Riga, the Gunners’ talismanic number seven was just as effective, providing an assist for Harry Kane, taking two shots, completing 100% of his shots, playing three key passes, completing 42 passes in the opposition’s half and more.
Minutes
60′
Assists
1
Key Passes
2
Shots
2
Dribbles (Completed)
2 (2)
Passes in Opp’s Half
42/51
Duels (Won)
5 (4)
Clearances
2
Recoveries
2
Granted, the opposition was not exactly top quality, but Saka looked back to his best for England over the last week, and that can only bode well for Arsenal’s upcoming run of games and his own place at the World Cup next year.
However, looking beyond next summer, the Gunners could have another one of their homegrown stars become a superstar for England, someone who has been compared to Wilshere.
Arsenal's future England superstar
Someone who could potentially fit this description and certainly feels destined for club and international greatness is Max Dowman.
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However, at just 15 years old, it really could be several years at a minimum before he is regularly playing games for the senior England side, which probably won’t be the case for Ethan Nwaneri.
Now, at 18 years old, the fellow Hale Ender is still on the young side, but he made his senior debut for the club over three years ago, made quite the splash last season, and is already a regular for the country’s U21 side. He’s also valued at a pricey £74m by CIES Football Observatory.
Therefore, it feels far more likely that the Gunners’ next superstar for the Three Lions will be the Enfield-born monster, especially with comparisons to former international Wilshere.
The comparison came from Arteta himself, who claimed the teenager “has the ability to take the ball in tight areas and to escape a little bit like Jack Wilshere used to do.”
This is something fans might get to see more of this season if he’s played in more central areas, but even then, his performances last year more than proved he has what it takes to become a genuine world-beater.
For example, the “phenomenal” prospect, as dubbed by former professional Stephen Warnock, managed to score nine goals and provide two assists in 37 appearances, totalling 1378 minutes.
Appearances
37
Minutes
1378′
Goals
9
Assists
2
Goal Involvements per Match
0.29
Minutes per Goal Involvement
125.27′
That works out to a goal involvement every 3.36 games, or more crucially, one every 125.27 minutes, which would be incredibly impressive if he were a seasoned professional.
Ultimately, it might take a year or two before he gets into the team, but Nwaneri’s talent is undeniable, and it feels like he could emulate Saka and become a superstar for England one day.