Which Young Gunners Have England Taken to a World Cup?

England manager Thomas Tuchel has named an extraordinary 35-man squad for the Three Lions' upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan at Wembley, and there are plenty of talking points. There is no place in the squad for Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold or Euro 2024 hero Ollie Watkins, while the Manchester United duo of Harry Maguire and Kobbie Mainoo will return following their upturn in form under Michael Carrick. Fringe players will include those like Dominic Solanke, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Fikayo Tomori, and Tino Livramento, as well as a first-ever call-up for Everton's James Garner. 

As one would expect when you're on the hunt for a famous quadruple, there is plenty of Arsenal representation too. Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke are all included; however, they will all join the squad late due to the sheer amount of football they have played so far this season. 

Teenage Gunners Miss Out 

But while those four regulars have secured their spots in the squad as expected, it was two missing Gunners teenagers who were among the notable absentees. Myles Lewis Skelly has been a mainstay in the German manager's team since he took over in the autumn of 2024; however, there is no place for him in this squad. Additionally, 16-year-old Max Dowman is not included, despite Tuchel saying the “door is open.” 

The World Cup is now less than three months away, and online betting sites have England listed among the favorites to win the tournament. The latest Bovada World Cup odds currently position the Three Lions as a 6/1 contender, with only reigning European Champions Spain — the team that beat England in the Euro 2024 final — being considered more likely at 9/2. By the time the tournament rolls around, will either of Arsenal's teenage sensations be selected? 

Both clearly have points to prove to Tuchel between now and the North American showdown. But as these two demonstrate, young Gunners heading to the World Cup as part of an England squad is more common than you'd think.

See X here: https://x.com/bovadaofficial/status/1997035384262578296?s=46&t=Jxc74bqcdlQ9Bjed4TR1Jw

Sven Shocks the World with Walcott Selection 

Heading into the 2006 World Cup, 17-year-old Theo Walcott hadn't made a single Premier League appearance. The teenager had just signed for Arsenal in January after bursting onto the scene in the Champions League with Southampton, netting four times despite his tender years. Arsene Wenger beat the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, and Spurs to his signature, with the Gunners forking out an initial fee of £5 million, rising to £12 million depending on appearances for club and country. 

Walcott was one of the hottest commodities on the planet, but even still, no one ever thought in a million years that he would be headed to the World Cup, especially considering that Wenger didn't think he was ready for the Premier League. Charlton Athletic's Darren Bent had just helped himself to 18 Premier League goals, a figure only bettered by Thierry Henry and Ruud van Nistelrooy, while both Jermain Defoe and even West Ham's Marlon Harewood were in the goals. 

That didn't bother England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson, though, who duly shocked the world by calling Walcott up for the World Cup, a startling decision considering that the talismanic Wayne Rooney was injured and would miss the opening games. Unfortunately for the Swedish manager, however, the gamble wouldn't pay off. 

Michael Owen was injured in England's second game and would miss the rest of the tournament, while Rooney was clearly not match fit. Despite calling Walcott up, Eriksson was unwilling to give the teenager a chance, leaving Peter Crouch as his only fit striker. The Three Lions would ultimately bow out on penalties at the hands of Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal after a less-than-inspiring tournament, and Walcott would never get his chance. 

Bukayo Saka Looks to Make Up for Euros Heartbreak 

Bukayo Saka became a shock England regular at Euro 2020 - postponed to the summer of 2021 — at just 19 years of age. The then-Arsenal Player of the Season would beat the in-form Jack Grealish and Jadon Sancho to a starting berth on England's right-hand side and would go on to shine as Gareth Southgate's men reached the final. There, however, Saka would endure his darkest hour, seeing the giant Gianluigi Donnarumma save his penalty to secure Italy the trophy at Wembley. 

At the 2022 World Cup, 18 months later, Saka was now an Arsenal and England regular. However, he was still just 21 when he was called up to Southgate's squad. This time around, neither Grealish, Sancho, nor Marcus Rashford could complain as Saka was one of the first names on the team sheet, and he set about proving his worth with a blistering brace against Iran in the tournament opener. 

Much like in the summer of 2021, though, England's campaign would end in heartbreak. The Three Lions would bow out in the quarterfinals following a 2-1 defeat to France in Al Khor, with former Gunner Olivier Giroud netting the winner before a late Harry Kane missed penalty sealed England's fate. Will similar heartbreak await Arsenal's England contingent this summer? We don't have to wait long to find out.